Arakan Bay News

  UN HR Cheif, IIMM Chief, Special Rapporteur International concerns are rising over what analysts describe as a deeply flawed and inconsistent United Nations (UN) reporting system on Arakan, with critics arguing that the mechanisms designed to ensure neutrality and accountability have instead contributed to misinformation, selective narratives, and political bias. Observers within Arakan and across the region say that UN bodies increasingly rely on incomplete, unverified, or one-sided information, leading to reports that fail to reflect the realities experienced by the diverse communities living in the conflict-affected areas. For years, the UN has positioned itself as an impartial institution tasked with defending human rights and documenting abuses. However, local civil society groups, independent researchers, and humanitarian monitors argue that Arakan has become a glaring example of how the system breaks down when field presence is limited and reporting structures are he...

  A refugee living in the UN-recognized Kutupalong camp in Ukhiya Upazila, Cox’s Bazar District, has been arrested with more than 100,000 yaba (methamphetamine) tablets during an anti-drug sweep conducted by Bangladeshi authorities. The arrest occurred on Thursday when security forces intercepted the suspect inside the camp as part of an ongoing crackdown on narcotics trafficking. According to Lieutenant Colonel Khairul Alam, Commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion 34, the detainee has been identified as Md. Abdullah (34), son of Mir Ahmed, and a resident of Kutupalong camp. BGB officials said the large haul of yaba tablets was intended for distribution both inside and outside the camp, highlighting the continued difficulty security agencies face in combating drug networks operating in and around refugee settlements. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to identify others connected to the trafficking ring and to dismantle the broader smuggling network. https:...

  Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) personnel reportedly crossed into the Maungdaw border area inside Arakan territory and seized eight cattle owned by local Rakhine cattle traders, according to local sources. The incident took place on November 27 at around 10:00 AM, when a five-member BGB team allegedly crossed the border between Border Posts BP-50 and BP-51, entering the Rakhine side where cattle traders had been preparing to move approximately 150 cattle across the border. Witnesses said BGB personnel advanced into Arakan territory, seized eight cattle by force, and then retreated back into Bangladeshi territory. The livestock belonged to traders from the Bawtuba Market area in Maungdaw Township. Local cattle traders report that similar BGB incursions have occurred repeatedly over recent years, resulting in financial losses and growing fear among traders who rely on the border route for their livelihoods. They say the pattern of illegal cross-border actions continues to undermi...

  Woman Victim and ARSA Terrorists in Bangladesh Original News Video A woman living in a refugee camp in Bangladesh was shot dead by an ARSA militant after she bravely resisted an attempted rape, according to sources familiar with the incident. The armed attacker confronted the woman inside the camp and tried to force himself on her. When she refused and attempted to escape, the militant fired his gun at close range, killing her instantly before fleeing the scene. The incident has caused deep fear and outrage among camp residents. Locals say women in the camps face increasing threats from ARSA militants, who frequently rely on intimidation, coercion, and violence to maintain control. This latest killing has intensified concerns about the deteriorating safety of civilians trapped in areas where armed groups operate unchecked. Community members note that ARSA often runs criminal networks inside certain camp zones, including extortion, kidnapping, and forced recruitment. Women and gi...

  BGB Members and Photo About Related Incident BGB Members With Cattles (photobgb) A serious border incident has been reported along the Arakan–Bangladesh frontier, where personnel from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) allegedly crossed into Arakan territory and forcibly seized eight cattle belonging to Arakanese traders. The incident, which reportedly occurred near Border Pillar No. 50 , has raised concerns among local residents and authorities over escalating cross-border violations. According to field accounts, a group of five armed BGB members entered the area on November 27 and approached Arakanese traders who were preparing for a scheduled livestock trade with Bangladeshi buyers. Without providing any explanation or engaging in dialogue, the BGB personnel allegedly drove the cattle away toward the Bangladeshi side of the border. Witnesses said the traders, taken by surprise and outnumbered by the armed unit, could not intervene. However, locals managed to capture video footage...

  ARSA Terrorists in Bangladesh and Naikkhongchhari Upazila (photocrd) Tanchangya (Daingnet) Women in Bangladesh (photocrd) On 25 November 2025, ten armed members of ARSA reportedly detained, blindfolded, bound, and physically assaulted three elderly women from the Tanchangya (also known as Daingnet) indigenous community. The women — survivors identified as Aungkraching Tanchangya (60), Malapu Tanchangya (45), and Malaiche Tanchangya (42) — were bathing in a canal roughly 200 yards from their village when militants seized them at around 10:00 am local time.  According to a report by the Bangladesh-based rights outlet Hill Voice, the women had their hands tied behind their backs, were blindfolded with black cloth, and one of them — Malaiche — suffered severe beatings. They were held captive for approximately four hours before being released later that evening.  This incident is reportedly the latest in a series of attacks targeting the Tanchangya community in the area. Pre...

  Social harmony, friendship, and mutual trust between the Rakhine and Muslim communities in Maungdaw Township have significantly improved in recent months, according to field observations conducted by AB News. Local residents report that under the current administration of the Arakan Army (ULA/AA), social relations have become more stable and positive compared to previous years. This marks a notable shift from earlier periods, during which the Muslim community in many Rakhine townships faced severe restrictions on their freedom of movement. Members of the Muslim community say that since the violence in 2012, they had experienced the loss of equal rights across key sectors such as healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and social engagement. They describe a decade marked by discrimination, limited mobility, and restricted access to services. According to locals, visible improvements in inter-community relations began in early 2024, after the ULA/AA gained control over sever...

  Representative Kamlager-Dove During The Event U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove has come under criticism following remarks she made during a congressional hearing on November 19, where she stated that the Arakan Army (AA) “has massacred the Rohingya in the territory under its control.” The claim, delivered before the Subcommittee on South & Central Asia and East Asia, has been widely rejected by observers familiar with developments in Rakhine State. Local monitors and analysts say the allegation lacks credible evidence and appears to stem from unverified activist narratives rather than ground-based reporting. They argue that no reliable investigation or independent documentation supports the congresswoman’s assertion, raising concerns over the accuracy of information being presented at high-level diplomatic forums. Critics note that repeated attempts by some diaspora groups to portray the AA as responsible for large-scale atrocities have not been substantiated throug...

Illegal Fishing Boat and Fishermen   Arakan maritime security forces have seized a second illegal Bangladeshi fishing vessel within the same day, according to officials from the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government (APRG). The interception took place approximately 3.43 nautical miles west of Kyein Taung village in Kyaukphyu Township, where coastal patrol teams spotted the wooden boat operating inside Arakan’s territorial waters. The vessel was carrying six Bangladeshi fishermen along with 30 six-layer fishing nets, an estimated 108 kilograms of freshly caught fish, and two mobile phones. All equipment and catches were confiscated, and the fishermen were transferred to relevant authorities for legal processing. This seizure comes only hours after another Bangladeshi fishing boat was detained earlier the same day, indicating a tightening of maritime enforcement by the Arakan Coastal Guards. Officials stated that repeated violations by Bangladeshi fishermen have forced Arakan auth...

  Rakhine, Marma and Mog Ladies (photocrd) According to a recent piece by Global Arakan Network, the Rakhine people, Marma people and Mog people — long regarded as separate ethnic identities — are actually branches of a single Arakanese heritage.  The article draws on historical research (notably by Kyaw Minn Htin) that traces a shared origin: when the ancient Arakan (Mrauk-U) kingdom ruled, administrators and settlers moved eastward into what is now Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts and India’s Tripura — over time becoming known as “Marma” and “Mog.”  Despite centuries of dispersion, the three groups reportedly still share a common language (dialects of Arakanese), overlapping cultural practices, religious traditions (‒ mostly Theravada Buddhism), similar village life, and ancestral customs.  Today, with renewed calls for recognition of their shared heritage, the article urges Marma and Mog communities to “come home” to their ancestral land — viewing it not...

  Indian authorities have arrested a high-ranking figure of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), identified as Munser Ali (also spelled Munshir Ali), in the Kharupetia area of Darrang district, Assam, on November 26, 2025.  According to reports, Munser Ali is believed to have links with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a banned Islamist militant organization in Pakistan — as well as with extremist groups operating in Bangladesh.  Indian authorities say Ali was allegedly involved in planning explosions intended to destabilize peace in Assam.  The arrest comes shortly after a weapons-smuggling ring — accused of supplying firearms to ARSA and other militant groups — was dismantled by Thai authorities at the Thai–Myanmar border.  This development underscores growing concerns that ARSA and affiliated groups may not only be active in Myanmar but are also forging cross-border terrorist networks spanning South Asia — with potential security implications for India...

  Illegal Fishing Boat and Fishermen In a fresh enforcement action along the Arakan (Rakhine) coast, authorities intercepted and seized a wooden fishing vessel belonging to Bangladeshi nationals early this morning. According to the report, the boat — carrying six fishermen — was stopped around 6:34 AM approximately 3.77 nautical miles west of Ywet Nyo village in Maungdaw Township. On board, authorities confiscated 22 four-layer nets, about 80 kg of fish, three mobile phones, and 300 yards of tarpaulin.  The detention reflects growing efforts by the Arakan Coast Guard (ACG) to curb repeated illegal fishing by foreign vessels. Officials noted that while nearly 188 Bangladeshi fishermen and some 30 boats were released earlier in 2025 in a gesture toward fostering bilateral goodwill, the latest wave of intrusions — seen as lacking reciprocity from Bangladeshi authorities — has prompted stricter enforcement and legal processing.  Local fishermen and authorities in Arakan a...

  According to a recent report by the Global Arakan Network, the navy of the ruling junta in Myanmar opened fire on a boat transporting about 400 Muslims who were attempting to flee refugee camps in Bangladesh and travel to Malaysia.  The group allegedly departed from Teknaf, Bangladesh, on November 20. The next day, on November 21, while sailing through the Bay of Bengal, their vessel was spotted and intercepted by the Myanmar Navy. Gunfire was reportedly directed at the boat, resulting in more than 10 serious injuries among those on board.  After the attack, all passengers were detained and forcibly taken to Sittwe — the capital of Rakhine State. There has been no public confirmation regarding the condition of the detainees, their legal status, or whether any have been released.  This incident underscores the grave danger faced by displaced Muslims — many from refugee camps — as they attempt perilous sea routes to escape persecution and seek refuge abroad. The u...

  At least 64 civilians , including Buddhist monks, were killed in Maungdaw town between May and August 2024 during coordinated operations carried out jointly by Myanmar junta troops and extremist ARSA militants, according to AB News field investigations. Witnesses and local sources confirm that soldiers from Border Guard Police Battalion Na Kha Kha-5 and other junta combat units collaborated with ARSA and RSO militants, conducting widespread abductions, torture, and killings against civilians of all religions — Rakhine Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. Systematic Killings and Torture Residents reported that during peak clashes with the Arakan Army (AA), junta–ARSA units: shot unarmed civilians in public areas, raided houses and murdered entire families, burned homes after dousing them with gasoline, abducted civilians to military compounds where many were executed. AB News has compiled a registry listing the victims’ names, ages, and locations as part of an ongoi...

  In a detailed rebuttal published this week, advocacy group BROUK issues a forceful critique of what it describes as a “fabricated” report targeting the Arakan Army (AA). The document accuses the AA of war crimes and human‐rights abuses in Myanmar’s Rakhine State — allegations which BROUK now claims to be misrepresented, misleading and lacking credible support. BROUK argues the report distorts the realities on the ground by: Mis-characterising the motives and actions of the Arakan Army, painting a resistance force as a systematic perpetrator of ethnic repression. Ignoring or undermining the broader context of the conflict in Rakhine State — including the role of the Tatmadaw, the impact of long-standing ethnic tensions and the displacement of communities. Presenting unverified or single-source claims as incontrovertible findings, rather than acknowledging methodological limitations or conflicting evidence. BROUK is calling for a more balanced and nuanced investigation...

  In a sweeping cross-border operation, Thai security forces apprehended 36 foreign nationals on Wednesday, 19 November 2025—among them 11 Pakistani nationals—during an attempted illegal river crossing from Myawaddy Township, Myanmar into Tak Province, Thailand.  Authorities report that the suspects had delivered an unspecified cache of weapons and ammunition into Myanmar, with preliminary intelligence suggesting the final recipients were Islamist-jihadist groups operating in the Arakan (Rakhine) region and across the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.  Thai officials describe the terrain—along the Thaungyin River opposite Shwe Kokko and Myawaddy—as a long-standing corridor for arms, drugs and human trafficking.  A senior officer from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 3 said: “These were not simple illegal immigrants. They are professional operatives of a structured network that moves firearms and explosives into conflict zones. The presence of so many Pakist...

  Videos circulating on social media have exposed junta-trained Muslim militants violently torturing civilians in Maungdaw, according to findings reviewed by Lay Wadi Media. The footage was uploaded on November 21 by an extremist Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) member identified as Mestar Fahad, who shared the videos on his Facebook account. Two separate clips show two Rakhine men with their hands tied behind their backs being beaten, kicked, and interrogated by a militant who claimed to have received military training from the Myanmar Army. During the interrogation, the militant repeatedly questioned the victims about their origins and whether they had any links to the Arakan Army (AA). One of the victims stated he was from Sittwe and had travelled to Maungdaw due to economic hardship, while both insisted they were ordinary civilians. Despite their responses, the militant continued accusing them of being tied to the AA. Within the Rakhine community, one of the victims — the man from ...

  The Arakan Coastal Guards (ACG) under the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government (APRG) have continued a series of arrests targeting Bangladeshi fishing boats that illegally enter Arakan’s maritime territory, according to military sources along the Rakhine–Bangladesh sea border. Bangladeshi fishing vessels have reportedly been repeatedly intruding into Arakan waters to conduct illegal fishing operations. On November 18, ACG patrol units conducting regular maritime security checks intercepted one Bangladeshi fishing boat carrying six fishermen approximately 1.5 km west of In Din village in Maungdaw Township. On the same day, another Bangladeshi boat with around seven fishermen was captured 1.7 km west of Kotankauk village in Rathedaung Township. The crew attempted to flee toward open waters upon spotting ACG patrol teams but were pursued and apprehended, a military source told AB News. “Our government is arresting these foreign fishing boats because they repeatedly violate Ar...

Ethnic Mro women are seen along the Kyeinchaung-Taungpyo road in northern Maungdaw Township i n November 2024. More than 1,500 ethnic Mro villagers from northern Maungdaw Township have been forced to flee their homes amid growing insecurity, according to a report by DMG. The displaced families, originating from nine isolated villages, left their communities after escalating threats and movements by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) created unbearable living conditions and heightened fears for their safety. According to DMG, the displaced Mro villagers are now sheltering in nearby locations such as Kyeinchaung, Khwasone, and Gyutchaung , where they face dire shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and adequate shelter. Local residents report that the root causes of their displacement include ARSA-linked intimidation, landmine risks, and the inability to carry out their traditional livelihoods such as bamboo cutting, fishing, and small-scale farming. One displaced villager to...

  Videos circulating widely on social media have revealed two civilians, including well-known Rakhine singer Khaing Min Thwe , being tortured by members of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), a Rohingya extremist armed group. The footage was uploaded on the evening of November 21 by a Facebook account named Mestar Fahad , believed to be operated by the ARA. The videos quickly spread across platforms, sparking public outrage. In the clips, an armed ARA member interrogates one of the detainees in Burmese, asking, “Where are you from?” The victim responds that he is from Sittwe . Both civilians appear visibly injured, indicating they were subjected to severe mistreatment. Local communities and rights observers have strongly condemned the acts, describing them as clear violations of human rights and a worrying escalation of brutality in the region. Further details surrounding the circumstances of the abduction and torture remain unclear, and no group has released information about th...

  ARSA Terrorists Inside Bangladesh A local businessman, Mr Nurul Islam (50) , was abducted last night by militants of the Islamist extremist group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in the village of West Leda in Nila Union, Teknaf Township. According to witnesses, at around 9 p.m., ARSA militants forced their way into Nurul’s home, called his name, and forcibly dragged him off toward the nearby hills. His son, Kamal Hossain, who was present during the attack, reported: “Around 9 p.m., these terrorists suddenly stormed into the house. They called for my father and took him away. The terrorists also beat the people who were in the house and looted valuable items. They were carrying heavy weapons.”  The scene still bore signs of violence: bullet casings—said to be foreign-manufactured—were found at the site. Law-enforcement from the 16th Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Camp 24, responded and engaged in a gun‐battle with the militants.  Residents in the area, already l...