Arakan Bay News

  In 1942, during World War II, northern Rakhine (then Sittwe District) was engulfed in devastating communal violence as the British retreated from Burma. As part of their withdrawal strategy, they armed local Bengali groups, referred to as V-Force or "Rajput Kalar soldiers," to serve as stay-behind forces. Lacking proper oversight, these armed units unleashed a wave of massacres and destruction targeting Rakhine and other indigenous communities, particularly in Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships. The violence began with incidents like the killing of two village head brothers in Yet Chaung, Myebon Township, and rapidly escalated. Entire Rakhine villages, such as Kutang in Rathedaung Township, were burned to the ground, with survivors either killed or forced to flee. In Maungdaw, 98–99 villages were completely destroyed and never rebuilt, while 115 others were unrecorded. In Buthidaung, 116 indigenous villages were obliterated, 66 were seized by Bengali settlers, and 47 new Ben...

  In the coastal districts of Barguna and Patuakhali, the Indigenous Rakhine people, who have inhabited the region for over 250 years, are facing a profound crisis as their land, heritage, and sacred sites are systematically eroded. Having transformed inhospitable terrain into fertile land, the Rakhine now confront widespread encroachment, forced land grabs, and state-backed development projects that threaten their cultural identity. The Rakhine’s settlements, Buddhist monasteries, and cremation grounds are under siege. Homes are being demolished or seized, historic temple lands are repurposed for infrastructure, and sacred cremation sites are being bulldozed or built over. Of the 22 cremation grounds once serving Rakhine villages, 12 have been entirely lost, with others significantly reduced. For instance, in Laupara village, a cremation ground shrank from 150 decimals (approximately 1.5 acres) to 60 decimals after government resettlement housing was constructed on the site. Sim...

Main Thesis The paper posits that the 1942 mass violence in Arakan (now Rakhine State, Myanmar) was a transformative event during World War II, triggered by the Japanese invasion and the breakdown of British colonial rule. It argues that this violence not only resulted in ethnic cleansing but also profoundly shaped the political identities of both Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim communities, fostering deep-seated ethno-religious divisions that influenced post-war politics, including the rise of the Rohingya identity and Rakhine nationalism. Key Historical Events Breakdown of British Authority (March-April 1942): The Japanese advance into Burma led to the rapid collapse of British administration in Arakan, creating a power vacuum by late March. Outbreak of Violence: Communal clashes began around March 28, 1942, in central Arakan (e.g., Minbya, Myebon, Pauktaw townships), where Arakanese Buddhists attacked Muslim villagers of Chittagonian origin. This escalated into retaliatory assaul...

A Muslim survivor from Nyaung Pin Gyi village in Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State, has shared a gripping account of survival during Cyclone Mocha, praising the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) for their life-saving intervention. On May 14, Cyclone Mocha struck with ferocious winds, torrential rain, and a destructive high tide around noon. As the storm intensified, many villagers fled their homes, seeking safety on higher ground, while others remained, hoping to endure the tempest. The cyclone’s devastating toll left approximately 20 confirmed fatalities, with their bodies recovered, and an additional 10 individuals still unaccounted for, according to the survivor. In the midst of the chaos, as villagers struggled through floodwaters and relentless winds, they encountered AA forces. The group acted swiftly, carrying elderly residents and children to safety on their shoulders. Despite sustaining injuries to their hands and bodies, the AA members pressed on, navigating t...

  In the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, on day 16, the United League of Arakan (ULA) and Arakan Army (AA) were actively engaged in supporting both Rakhine and Muslim communities in Rakhine State. Their efforts focused on providing medical treatment, food supplies, transportation, and assistance in rebuilding homes damaged by the cyclone. These initiatives demonstrate the ULA/AA's commitment to fostering social cohesion and building trust among diverse groups in the region. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1663551116142071817

  Following the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha and recent severe flooding, the United League of Arakan (ULA) medical teams have been actively providing essential healthcare services across villages in Rakhine State. Amidst escalating inflation in Myanmar, which has driven a significant increase in the cost of medicines and medical supplies, the ULA and Arakan Army (AA) are striving to meet public health demands with limited resources.  The ULA medical teams are delivering critical care to both Rakhine and Muslim populations affected by Cyclone Mocha, ensuring that lifesaving treatment is provided equitably. Under ULA medical teams, Muslim communities receive medical care without discrimination, reflecting a commitment to inclusive healthcare access for all residents. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1694356247951311285

  On August 13 at around 9 a.m., a motorboat carrying 14 Muslims sank in the Kissapanadi River between Thar Ngar Jetty and Pan Chan Jetty in Kyauk Taw Township, Rakhine State. The boat was traveling from Pauk Taw Palawn (Muslim) village to Taung Thaung (Muslim) village.  Rakhine dockworkers nearby witnessed the incident and successfully rescued all passengers, with no casualties reported. The motorboat has been salvaged, and the boat’s owner is currently detained by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) under the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.

The Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson, U Khaing Thukha, has denied that Jibon Ton Chanchang, a 21-year-old Bangladeshi national arrested by the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) on August 11 in Bandarban District, is a member of the AA. Chanchang, reportedly of the Tripuri ethnic group, allegedly stole an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a mobile phone from the AA’s Taung Pyo camp before fleeing to Bangladesh. He surrendered to BGB in Palong Khali, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar District, with the weapons. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Jahangir Uddin, BGB Battalion 64 commander, confirmed the surrender, and Chanchang is now being transferred to Ukhiya police station for legal action. The AA claims Bangladeshi media, influenced by security agencies, are spreading disinformation about the group. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1955507789096423642

  The Arakan Army (AA) has rejected claims by the Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC) and Chittagonian Muslim activists that it killed 600 Rohingya, including children and pregnant women, in Thayet Oak Kan village, Buthidaung Township, in May 2023. AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha stated that the remains found were those of approximately 200 junta soldiers killed during heavy fighting with the military’s Light Infantry Battalion 15, as evidenced by military helmets and boots in photographs. The AA reported that the village’s population dropped from 993 to 791, with some residents fleeing to Bangladesh, Yangon, or abroad. The ARNC insists on accountability, citing survivor testimonies and photographic evidence. The AA has invited media to verify the situation in Thayet Oak Kan and denies broader accusations of human rights abuses against Chittagonian Muslims, maintaining it upholds equal rights for all communities in Rakhine. Fortify Rights has called for an ICC investigation...

  It has been observed that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) terrorist group was preparing to launch a jihad in Arakan (Rakhine State). ARSA’s planned actions posed a serious security threat to the local population , undermining stability and endangering civilian lives. These developments contributed to widespread displacement, severe human rights abuses, and the further escalation of the Rohingya refugee crisis . The international community is urged to take decisive action in response to such acts of violence, which continue to destabilize the region and inflict harm on innocent civilians. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1954956555876700385

  A 54-year-old villager, U Maung Htun Hla , from Kharat Tan Village, was shot dead by suspected Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants while fishing near Gawdu Thara Chaung . According to local sources, approximately ten armed men approached the victim and his companion, U Hla Maung Thein , calling out in Burmese before opening fire with small arms. While U Hla Maung Thein managed to escape, U Maung Htun Hla was fatally struck. His body was later recovered by villagers, found stripped of clothing with a gunshot wound to the head. The attack underscores ongoing security threats facing local communities in northern Arakan. Despite intensified conflict dynamics in the region, civilians continue to bear the brunt of targeted violence. Local residents expressed growing fears over the presence of armed groups, warning that daily activities such as farming and fishing have become increasingly dangerous. Community leaders have urged for stronger protective measures to saf...

The narrative "Arakan - Ancient Buddhist Kingdom, Endangered by Jihad" portrays Arakan (Rakhine State, Myanmar) as a historic Buddhist kingdom with a centuries-old cultural heritage, now threatened by jihadist violence, primarily from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and other Rohingya militant groups. It alleges these groups have engaged in violent campaigns since 1942, including massacres, arson, and ethnic cleansing targeting Buddhists, Hindus, and other minorities, with the goal of establishing an Islamic state. Highlighting events like the 2017 massacre of 99 Hindus, the account claims these actions endanger Arakan’s religious and cultural identity, framing the conflict as part of a broader extremist agenda. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1896597827733864845

  On August 6, 2025, reports indicated that Rakhine and Muslim students in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, are collaboratively learning computer skills at a training program run by the Youth Education Centre (YEC). Initiated by youth instructor Ko Pyae Lin in a local village, the course fosters an inclusive environment where, as student Maung Than Naing noted, there is no ethnic discrimination, with Rakhine and Muslim students studying side by side. Ko Pyae Lin emphasized that the program strictly prohibits discriminatory behavior, promoting unity and friendship through shared education in a non-segregated setting. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1953114024725627243

  A video titled "Matthew Smith of Fortify Rights - Jihadist's Best Friend" by Rick Heizman, posted on July 23, 2025, accuses Matthew Smith, CEO of Fortify Rights, of supporting Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. It claims Fortify Rights ignores ARSA’s violent acts, including mass murders of Hindus, Buddhists, and ethnic minorities, such as the 2017 killing of approximately 100 Hindus, as documented by Amnesty International. The video alleges ARSA, led by Ataullah abu Ammar Jununi, has pursued ethnic cleansing since 1942 to establish an Islamic state, with Rohingya religious leaders (Malavis) promoting genocidal ideology. It accuses Smith of manipulating media narratives to demonize non-Muslims while concealing ARSA’s crimes, including killings of Rohingya informants. The author, citing extensive Myanmar experience, defends the Myanmar military’s actions and plans legal action against Smith, alleging complicity in militant atroci...

  On July 24, 2025, the Arakan American Community (AAC) issued a strong condemnation of a Fortify Rights report dated July 23, 2025, which accused the Arakan Army (AA) of abductions, torture, and killings of Muslims in Rakhine State, urging an International Criminal Court investigation. The AAC labeled the allegations as misinformation, false, and baseless, arguing that they undermine ethical standards and fuel negative perceptions of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), a key force for freedom and democracy in Myanmar. The AAC criticized Fortify Rights for allegedly serving the interests of Myanmar’s military dictatorship. The AA also rejected the claims, denying any war crimes against Muslims in Rakhine. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1948434366960750999

On August 8, 2025, Nila Rani, a 44-year-old Hindu woman from Dinajpur, Bangladesh, was brutally hacked while returning home, allegedly by Mozammel Haque, a member of the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami. Local sources claim the attack, linked to a land dispute, targeted Rani while she was alone. She is currently hospitalized, receiving treatment for her injuries. The incident has sparked calls for justice amid concerns over targeted violence against minorities in the region. https://x.com/VHindus71/status/1948072212264898745

On July 23, 2025, an analysis published by a regional news source dismissed a recent Fortify Rights (FR) report accusing the Arakan Army (AA) of arson and other abuses against non-Muslim homes in Rakhine State as baseless and biased. The critique argues that FR’s claims lack credible evidence and fail to account for the AA’s alliances with diverse ethnic and religious groups, including Muslims, under the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government, which promotes inclusive governance. The analysis suggests FR’s narrative may obscure the actions of other actors, such as the Myanmar military or Rohingya militant groups like ARSA, known for violence in the region. It accuses FR of selective reporting, potentially influenced by external agendas, which risks misrepresenting the AA’s role and undermining efforts for peace and repatriation in Rakhine State. https://x.com/globalarakannet/status/1948024845863936010

On July 17, 2025, the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government's Coastal Security Force intercepted over 30 Bangladeshi fishing boats illegally operating in Arakan’s territorial waters near the Mraing-Hlut coast. Three boats carrying 23 fishermen were detained, while the others escaped. After interrogation and verification, the Arakan authorities released the detained fishermen and their boats on July 18, 2025, with a warning to secure official fishing permits through the Bangladesh government. The incident reflects ongoing issues with illegal fishing, exacerbated by the Arakan Army’s limited administrative control and the lack of significant action from Bangladeshi authorities, with some local media accused of misrepresenting such detentions as abductions by the Arakan Army. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1947356165991747970

  It reported a surge in illegal fishing by Bangladeshi fishermen in Arakan’s territorial waters, particularly along the coast and near the Naf River. On July 18, 2025, the Arakan Army Sea Patrol Team detained three boats and 23 Bangladeshi fishermen for unauthorized fishing, releasing them after investigation with a warning to obtain permits from the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government through Bangladeshi authorities. The report suggests these activities exploit the ongoing conflict in Rakhine State and limited administrative oversight by the Arakan Army, with fishermen using large boats and nets to poach fish, including hilsa, impacting local resources. The article notes a lack of significant intervention from Dhaka’s authorities, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and alleges that some Bangladeshi media misrepresent these incidents as Arakan Army abductions within Bangladeshi waters. https://x.com/globalarakannet/status/1946432362977571073

On July 17, 2025, approximately 800 schoolchildren and community members protested in Khagrachari Sadar, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, demanding justice for the gang-rape of a 14-year-old Hindu Tripuri girl on June 27, 2025, near Bhaibonchhara police camp during the Ratha Yatra festival. The assailants, identified as Emon Hossain, Enayat Hossain, Saddam Hossain, Arman Hossain, Munir Islam, and Sohel Islam, allegedly tied to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) youth and student wings, attacked the victim, filmed the assault, and intimidated her into silence. The victim attempted suicide on July 12 and remains in critical condition. Four suspects were arrested on July 16, while two remain at large. The protests reflect broader concerns about escalating violence against Hindu and indigenous minorities, with rights groups reporting 13 similar incidents in Cumilla since April 2025. The BNP, linked to last year’s US-backed protests that ousted Sheikh Hasina, faces accusations ...

  Racial tensions reached the peak when the British Civil Administration collapsed in Arakan in 1942 because of the Second World War. There was blood bath of racial riots. Khawtaw Kalas ( Bengali Muslims aka Rohingya) were helped by the Muslim deserters of the British Indian Army. All 195 Rakhaing villages in Butheedaung and Maungdaw area were wiped out. They vandalized, raped and slew. Many Arakanese including the Deputy Commissioner of that area U Oo Kyaw Khaing, who was on a mission to defuse the communal conflict, were killed. Many Rakhaings had to take refuge inside the Border Town Tet Chaung also well known as Maungdaw. These Khawtaw Kalas wanted to commit ethnic cleansing of the Rakhaings living in that town. The town was blockaded, besieged and attacked by Khawtaw Kalas together with the deserters. An Arakanese Judge called U Aung Tha Kyaw sent a type of S.O.S message to Captain Taylor of the British Army stationed at the other border town Teknaf, the yonder side of th...

  Transcript: 1/21 The Truth About The Rohingya Lie With Burma Expert Rick Heizman by Kevin J Johnston Kevin J. Johnston here, KJJradio.com. We want to thank everybody for joining us at the 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time slot for today's interview with Rick Heisman, who's currently on the air with us right now and on Facebook Live. If you're on kjjradio.com, you'd like to see the two of us. It's Kevin J. Johnston 300 on Facebook. For those on Facebook who'd like higher fidelity sound, go to kjjradio.com. Rick Heisman is an expert on Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. He's been to the country 28 times and is a San Francisco-based freelance journalist and Burma expert. We have to talk to Rick today about two major subjects and that would be the Rohingya lie and the crazy Dr. Zarni. Rick, thank you so much for accepting our call and thank you so much for talking with me today. How are you? Hey, good and thank you for having me. It's great to be here. It's ...