The United States has called for the restoration of mobile internet service in parts of Rakhine and Chin states, saying the internet shutdown undermines transparency amid clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army.
The Myanmar government last week received the unprecedented message from providers to shut down all internet data in at least eight townships in Rakhine state and one in neighboring Chin state.
The move came as Myanmar's military, officially called the Tatmadaw, moved against insurgents fighting for more autonomy for Rakhine Buddhists.
"The Internet should be restored without delay ," the US State Department said in a statement.
"Restoring the service will help facilitate transparency and accountability regarding what the government claims are actions aimed at preventing further violence in the affected areas," he added.
In 2017, a military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine led to 740,000 people in Bangladesh suffering mass atrocities by soldiers.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya remain in Rakhine, many of whom are trapped in squalid camps.
Human Rights Watch said on Friday that humanitarian groups reported that the shutdown is creating difficulties and problems in carrying out work .
“ WhatsApp is key for international non-profit organizations operating in Rakhine, and working without it creates additional difficulties,” he said.
The United Nations warned that the internet shutdown amid the Tatmadaw's "clearance" operations against the rebels could be "a cover for committing serious human rights violations against the civilian population.".
Myanmar has deployed thousands of soldiers to Rakhine, which has seen over 35,000 people flee their homes to escape the situation that has arisen in these areas.
Both sides are accused of committing crimes and dozens of civilians have been killed in the fires, even when they take refuge in monasteries.
