Arakan Bay News

  The Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO) of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government (APRG) has delivered relief assistance to 789 Muslim families across 10 villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, according to an official statement. The aid operation, conducted between July and August 2025, reached 5,004 people and included rice, tarpaulins, cash support, maternity medicine, and paddy seed. In total, 429 bags of rice, 248 tarpaulins, 6.88 million kyats in cash, 209 cards of maternal medicine, and 20 bags of seed were distributed. HDCO said the initiative prioritized areas where humanitarian access remains limited, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected residents who had not previously received assistance. The office added that it plans to continue emergency relief efforts for displaced and vulnerable communities still facing shortages of food and basic supplies. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1971457622974005...

  Reports from local sources state that six indigenous Rakhine villagers from Min Chaung village in Sitakunda Township, Chittagong Hill Tracts, were detained by the Bangladesh Army on September 22. According to the army’s statement, the men were accused of being members of the Arakan Army (AA) and were allegedly found in possession of arms and ammunition. However, villagers have strongly rejected these claims, insisting that the detainees are ordinary cattle herders with no connections to armed groups. Community members further argued that the weapons displayed in some media outlets consisted only of a locally made hunting rifle and three knives typically used for herding, not military-grade equipment. Rights groups and local residents say the incident reflects a wider pattern of arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges, and harassment of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and border regions. They warn that such practices deepen mistrust and raise ongoing concerns...

  An Arakan Army (AA) soldier was killed during a search operation for missing villagers in Done Nyo village, northern Maungdaw Township, according to local sources. Three civilians remain unaccounted for. Residents said two men went missing on September 16 after heading into nearby hills to cut bamboo for house construction. When they did not return, another villager and an AA soldier set out to look for them but also disappeared. On September 19, villagers organized a larger search group and discovered the body of the AA soldier. Witnesses reported that his hands were bound, cloth had been stuffed into his mouth, and he appeared to have been strangled. Locals attributed the killing to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government (APRG) has since urged residents along the Arakan–Bangladesh border to avoid traveling alone or in small groups in remote areas. It also advised that, in cases of urgent travel for medical or other essential reas...

  Local reports indicate that the Arakan Army (AA) has carried out a large-scale counter-offensive against armed groups attempting to infiltrate northern Maungdaw Township, close to the Bangladesh–Rakhine border. More than 100 militants were reportedly killed during the clashes, and stockpiles of weapons and ammunition were seized. According to sources familiar with the operation, AA units engaged the groups at close range and employed drones to target those attempting to retreat. Entire groups were said to have been neutralized, while others fled back into Bangladeshi territory. The AA is believed to be maintaining operations along sections of the frontier to prevent further incursions. Independent verification of the casualties and battlefield claims remains unavailable. https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1970733886004175105

  According to international media reports, a large protest took place in New York on September 22 against the delegation of Bangladesh Interim Government Chief Muhammad Yunus, who arrived to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Reports state that Yunus’ group was confronted by Awami League supporters and Bangladeshi migrant workers at JFK International Airport. Demonstrators reportedly chanted slogans, including accusations of “terrorist,” and some threw eggs toward the delegation. Social media footage circulating online appeared to show protesters surrounding the entourage. Among those leading the demonstration was Akhtar Hossain, identified as an organizing member of the recently formed National Citizens’ Party (NCP). Hossain has previously been associated with student protests following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Clashes were also reported between Yunus’ supporters and Awami League backers during the arrival. New York police later confirmed th...

  Mro Ethnic Woman with Her Babies (photocrd) ULA Officials Participating in Mro Ethnic Conference in Maungdaw (photocrd) Hindus Community Celebrating Anniversary of over 100 Hindus (photocrd) Ethnic minority communities in northern Rakhine’s Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships are facing violent ethnic cleansing by armed Muslim groups, according to an exclusive interview published by The Irrawaddy on September 22. The targeted groups include Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and smaller ethnic minorities such as the Rakhine, Hindu, Mro, Kaman, Daingnet, Thet, and Khami communities, as well as non-religious groups. Once making up around 10 percent of the population, these communities now account for only about 0.4 percent after years of killings and displacement. Reports indicate insurgents have killed civilians and disguised them in Arakan Army uniforms to stage fake clashes for media coverage. Local investigations cite several recent incidents, including the killing of two Mro villa...

 Source from Global Network Arakan (GAN) Regarding the reopening of the historic mosque, we agreed: it’s a matter of citizens’ rights. It should be opened. But to prevent extremist exploitation, the mosque committee and the Islamic council must manage it carefully. We reached collective understandings on these points. Original Link https://x.com/globalarakannet/status/1970090766497431587

 Archieved by Arakan Bay News (ABN) Part # 1 - September 20th 2025 Interviewer: This week, we plan to discuss Rakhine State’s current situation; the Arakan Army’s political and military posture; the challenges facing Rakhine civilians; the latest situation of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine; as well as Myanmar’s broader political and revolutionary landscape and relations with neighboring countries. First of all, I’d like to thank General Tun Myat Naing for agreeing to give this exclusive interview to The Irrawaddy. Good morning, General Tun Myat Naing. The General: Good morning, Ko Aung Zaw. Interviewer: Thank you for granting The Irrawaddy this exclusive interview. Around this same time last year, we also did an interview. So we’re meeting again this year. What’s different this time is that recently there’s been a lot of news about Rakhine—especially one story that drew attention domestically, internationally, even among foreign diplomats: you personally traveled to Rakhine, re-o...

Abstracted by Global Arakan Network (GAN)    Recently, audio recordings allegedly featuring Nay San Lwin, a well-known human rights activist, have begun circulating online. In these clips, a voice said to be his can be heard addressing Muslim youths in refugee camps in Bangladesh. According to the recordings, the speaker urges young people to consider whether they want to remain in the camps or accept $2,000 in exchange for joining Muslim extremist groups operating in Rakhine. The voice also reportedly encourages collaboration with Myanmar’s military commission forces and participation in armed operations against the Arakan Army in 2024. The circulation of these recordings has added to mounting tensions in Rakhine State, where fragile relations between communities and ongoing armed conflict are already fueling instability. Original Link https://x.com/globalarakannet/status/1969634319972123043

  Source from Global Arakan Network (GAN) Original Text (photocrd) The GAN is delighted to share an article written by Ramma Thant Phru on June 20, 1967, titled The Issue of Illegal Entry of "Kular" into Rakhine. This serves as evidence of post-colonial illegal immigration from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) into Arakan. Please read the English translation of the original text below.                                                        The Issue of Illegal Entry of "Kular" into Rakhine                                                                                    ...

  The ultimate dream of the people of Arakan and the military objective of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is to ensure that the entire Arakan region is fully returned, without exception, into the hands of the people of Arakan. To this end, the ULA/AA has been exerting every effort. At the same time, within the territories we have taken control of, we are providing public services and security for the people, while also resisting the counteroffensives of the fascist military junta (Junta Commission) with daily defensive operations along the frontlines of Arakan. Along the long Arakan–Bangladesh border and in some parts of Maungdaw District, the Arakan Army has not yet been able to provide round-the-clock and fully comprehensive security for civilians. Taking advantage of this, Islamist extremist groups such as ARSA and RSO, with bases inside Bangladesh, have been infiltrating into Maungdaw District of Arakan through routes across the Naf River and the Mayu mountain...

  A BGB Member on the Border (photocrd) RSO Militants Inside Bangladesh (photcrd) ARSA Members Inside Bangladesh (photocrd) Mro Civilians Killed by ARSA in July 18, 2024 (Photocrd) Bangladesh, long regarded as a peace-loving nation and humanitarian refuge for Rohingya refugees, is facing mounting scrutiny over reports of border force complicity with militant groups operating along the Myanmar frontier. Local sources and community reports suggest elements within the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are enabling the activities of the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Both groups, designated as militant organizations, are accused of using Bangladeshi territory and refugee camps as staging grounds for cross-border attacks, arms smuggling, and recruitment. The allegations strike at the core of Bangladesh’s decades-old diplomatic narrative as a secular, moderate state free from extremist ties. Observers note that the shift coincides with...

 Abstracted from Global Arakan Network (GAN) In Rakhine State, in the Buthidaung-Maungdaw townships, Muslim members of the Arakan Army (AA) security forces have been observed serving. They are also serving for border security and the liberation of Arakan. Original Link https://x.com/globalarakannet/status/1969031113747182047

The Conflict and Resilience Research Institute Canada (CRRIC) hosted the 21st episode of its webinar series, titled “The Prospect of Peace in Rakhine State, the United League of Arakan, and the Rebuilding of the State.” The event featured Professor Dr. Jacques P. Leider , a leading historian of Arakan (Rakhine), who joined from Luxembourg to share his insights on the region’s history, identity politics, and contemporary conflict. Treaty Recognition and Institutional Context The session opened with land acknowledgment, recognizing that CRRIC is based on the original lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The webinar also connected the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada (Sept. 30) to CRRIC’s mandate of studying conflict, genocide, statelessness, and resilience, with special emphasis on Myanmar through its project “Charting a Path to Lasting Peace in Myanmar,” supported by Global Affairs Canada. Why Rakh...

  Two local civilians were killed near the Myanmar–Bangladesh border in the northern part of Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, according to local reports. The victims were identified as: Aye Zanda Nwe (38), son-in-law of U San Thein and Daw May Sein from Tamanta Village, northern Maungdaw. Maung Maung Hlaing (42), son of U Maung Tun Hla and Daw Ma Thein Hla from the same village. They were reportedly attacked and killed by unidentified armed men while working in Inn Chaung village, close to the Bangladesh border. The exact time of death is not yet known. One villager said: “We had lost contact with them for some time. We only learned they were dead when their families received a phone call.” Locals said armed groups are active in the area and often target civilians. On March 30, 2025, four villagers from Khami villages in Buthidaung Township – Gupi, Auk Gandaru, Obro, and Myagati – were also abducted and executed by the militant group ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army). I...

The Arakan Army (AA) has strongly rejected allegations by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) that the group is involved in drug trafficking, calling the claims entirely baseless. The denial comes in response to remarks made by the Ramu Sector Commander during a BGB press briefing on September 15. “BGB’s claim that Bangladeshi nationals are obtaining drugs from AA-controlled areas is completely false. These are one-sided, fabricated allegations without any foundation,” said U Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA). He stressed that drug smuggling across the border had entirely ceased after the AA captured full control of Maungdaw Township on December 8, 2024. According to AA, during the junta era BGB profited from narcotics operations, and now, with those profits disrupted, BGB is attempting to undermine the AA by blocking medicine and essential goods from entering Rakhine and launching smear campaigns. The AA further noted that with cross-bo...

 Archieved by ABN It has been learned that the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army (AA) and Chairman of the United League of Arakan (ULA), General Tun Mrat Naing, held talks with local Muslim community leaders in Maungdaw Township. The meeting reportedly took place about two weeks ago, prior to the reopening of the large Jame Mosque in Maungdaw. According to reports, the Muslim community had requested General Tun Mrat Naing to allow the reopening of the Jame Mosque, which had been closed for over a decade. In response to that request, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government allowed the reopening of the mosque on September 12, Muslim community members said. “We requested General Tun Mrat Naing to allow the reopening of the Jame Mosque. He granted it with the intention that everyone, regardless of ethnicity, should have the freedom to practice their own religion. For us Muslims, this is very meaningful,” said a local Muslim resident of Maungdaw. The Jame Mosque, which had...