In Thandwe Township, Rakhine State, residents disclosed that the Military Council troops are  conducting extensive searches for revolutionary forces, citing the need to search individuals affiliated with the People's Defense Forces (PDF).

The major armed group in Rakhine State is the AA (Arakan Army) that has no affiliation to the PDF guerilla forces under the wing of the NUG.

On the morning of September 15, three military vehicles carrying about 60 troops from Thandwe Township arrived at the old villages of Pa Yit and Yae Kauk, located roughly 30 miles from Thandwe. They conducted an extensive search operation in the forested areas surrounding these villages, letting the people know they were hunting down members of the People's Defense Forces (PDF), as reported by residents.

"They came from the 5-mile road near the hydropower project. Three military vehicles carrying around 60 soldiers arrived in the forest near the old villages of Pa Yit and Yae Kauk, which are approximately 30 miles from Thandwe. They mentioned that they were searching for members of the People's Defense Forces (PDFs). They have been stationed in the forest since the morning of September 15. I'm uncertain about their intentions," conveyed a resident who chose to remain anonymous. During the night, they patrolled the forest and continued their search efforts.

Residents speculated that the Military Council might be conducting searches for individuals associated with the Arakan Army (AA) in Thandwe Township, using the pretext of searching for People's Defense Forces (PDF) members.

Many administrative regions in northern Rakhine State have come under the control of the Arakan Army (AA). It is also speculated that the Military Council may be making efforts to maintain control over the southern regions to prevent further loss of territory.

Ongoing patrols by Military Council troops have led to a suspension of activities for farmers, who depend on the forest and mountains for their sustenance. Local residents engaged in tasks such as bamboo shoot harvesting and hunting have also refrained from their usual activities, as they are wary about entering the forest.

"They are patrolling the forest, so individuals who hunt and gather bamboo shoots can't access the forest right now. Even farmers have halted their work. We're uncertain about the duration of this situation," mentioned an unnamed resident.

Recently, Military Council troops have intensified security checks at the Thandwe urban area and entry and exit checkpoints, conducting thorough inspections of both vehicles and motorcycles.

In 2022, in several townships in Rakhine State, including Thandwe Township, a number of social activists, including women, as well as local residents, were reportedly sentenced to lengthy prison terms by the Military Council. These sentences were imposed on unusual charges of alleged association with the People's Defense Forces (PDF) and providing financial support to the PDF, in spite of lack of evidence of significant PDF presence in Rakhine State.