Arakan Bay News

  Monks and Pagodas in Famous Koe-Thaung Temple For years, a network of pan-Rohingya scholar-activists has worked to manufacture an alternative history of Arakan, presenting it as academic research while advancing a political project rooted in historical falsification. Under the cover of scholarship, this group has attempted to overwrite Arakan’s documented past and replace it with a narrative designed to legitimize present-day claims over land, identity, and political authority. At the core of this project lies the repeated assertion that Rohingya Muslims are an ancient indigenous people of Arakan, allegedly present since the 7th century. This claim is endlessly recycled in books, articles, conferences, and advocacy materials, yet it collapses under scrutiny. No inscriptions, no archaeological remains, no contemporary chronicles, and no credible foreign accounts confirm such an early Muslim presence. What does exist, in abundance, are records of Rakhine Buddhist kingdoms, languag...

  The scene of the Bangladeshi citizen, who was shot by ARSA terrorists, being transported to the hospital. A Bangladeshi citizen was injured after being shot by members of the terrorist militant group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in Cox’s Bazar district, according to local sources. The incident took place late at night on January 13 near Nayapara Refugee Camp No. 26 in Teknaf’s Nayapara area. The victim, identified as Mohammad Rocky , was reportedly targeted by ARSA terrorists and sustained gunshot wounds during the attack. Following the shooting, the injured man was rushed to Teknaf Government Hospital , where he is currently receiving medical treatment. His condition was reported as stable at the time of reporting. Local residents said the attack has heightened fear in the area, as ARSA terrorists continue to operate inside and around refugee camps , engaging in armed violence, intimidation, and cross-border criminal activities. Security forces have launched an inves...

  Across mainland Southeast Asia, modern national borders frequently divide ethnic communities that long predate the formation of contemporary states. Groups such as the Shan/Tai, Karen, Mon, Chin/Mizo/Kuki, and Rakhine are found on both sides of international frontiers, reflecting shared histories, languages, and social systems that survived colonial boundary-making. However, a comparative anthropological and historical analysis suggests that the Rohingya case differs markedly from this regional pattern. Indigenous Border Peoples and Cross-Border Continuity In Southeast Asia, indigenous border peoples typically exhibit clear continuity across borders. These communities maintain long-established settlements, shared dialects or language chains, common clan structures, oral histories, and recognition in colonial and local records on both sides of state boundaries. Ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, for example, are found in both Myanmar and Bangladesh. Similarly, Karen communities span the My...

  Eight members of the indigenous Mro community were seriously injured in a violent group attack near Border Milepost No. 55 along the Rakhine–Bangladesh border in Alikadam Township, Bandarban District, according to information obtained by AB News. The injured individuals were identified as Danyan (52), Amor (50), Preikay Kyaw (27), Aung Saung (30), Kauk Ngun (50), Nga Wei (27), Lan Ching (30), and Min Yo (40). The incident took place at around 10 a.m. on January 17, when local indigenous villagers attempted to prevent a group of people from allegedly stealing crops from fruit plantations belonging to Mro families. During the confrontation, the villagers were reportedly assaulted with knives and sticks. A local resident told AB News that the attack was carried out jointly by some settler Muslims and members of local violent groups, targeting the indigenous Mro villagers. One plantation owner said the Mro people have lived on the land for generations but are now facing increasing pr...

Tensions along the Bangladesh–Myanmar frontier surged on January 12, 2026, when residents of Waikhong (Whykong) in Teknaf Upazila rallied to protest continuing violence spilling over from Myanmar’s internal conflict. The demonstration came after heavy clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and several Islamist militant groups , including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and allied factions, generated intense gunfire and explosions near the border. Local people say that stray bullets from the fighting on the Myanmar side crossed into Bangladeshi territory around Kyee Island and surrounding areas, hitting homes in Waikhong. A 9-year-old boy identified as Huzaifa (also reported as Hozaifa) was critically injured after being struck by one of these rounds. He was initially treated locally and later taken to the Chattogram Medical College Hospital for intensive care. In response, angry villagers blocked roads and gathered at Waikhong market to denounce the violence and demand ...

  A local resident from Maungdaw Township has recounted his ordeal after being detained by members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) while traveling to seek medical treatment, according to an interview conducted by local media. The man said he was intercepted and taken by the group during his journey for healthcare assistance. He reported that he was held for a period of time under guard and questioned about his movements and background. According to the interview, the detainee later managed to escape from custody under unclear circumstances and returned to safety. He did not sustain serious injuries during the incident but described the experience as traumatic. Local residents say such incidents have heightened fear and insecurity among civilians in parts of northern Maungdaw, particularly for those traveling for medical or livelihood-related reasons. The incident adds to ongoing concerns raised by locals about the safety of civilians amid the presence of armed grou...

  The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 11 traders for attempting to transport cement and diesel across the Naf River into Maungdaw Township in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, an area currently under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), officials said on January 18. According to the Coast Guard, the arrests were carried out late on January 17 after patrol units intercepted a motorized boat on the Naf River. The vessel was reportedly carrying a large consignment of cement along with fuel, and all 11 individuals on board were taken into custody. Authorities stated that the detainees will face charges related to smuggling prohibited goods. Officials also noted that further action would be pursued against networks involved in the unlawful sale and distribution of goods originating from Bangladesh. Sources said Bangladesh does not officially recognize the AA as a governing authority, and therefore has not authorized formal trade with areas under its control in Rakhine State. The latest incid...

  A U.S. researcher with decades of experience studying Myanmar has claimed that armed Rohingya movements have played a central role in driving violence in Rakhine State for more than 80 years, with the August 2017 attacks representing the most significant escalation in the conflict. Richard Heisman, an American national who says he has traveled to Myanmar since the early 1980s and to Rakhine State since the mid-1990s, told reporters that tensions between Rakhine Buddhists and Bengali Muslim Rohingya did not emerge recently but can be traced back to World War II. According to Heisman, the conflict reached a turning point on August 25, 2017, when fighters linked to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) launched coordinated attacks across northern Rakhine State. He said police posts, military facilities, and villages in multiple townships were targeted simultaneously. Heisman described the operation as unprecedented, claiming that dozens of security outposts and more than 80 v...

  An 18-year-old woman was killed after being caught in a gunfight between an armed militant group and a human trafficking network in Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladeshi authorities said. The incident took place on the evening of January 16 on a hillside near Akhaliya village. According to officials, an exchange of gunfire erupted between the two groups, leaving a civilian dead after she was struck by bullets during the chaos. The victim was identified as Sumaiya Akhter , daughter of Mohammad Siddique, a resident of Akhaliya village. Reports indicate that at around 6:30 p.m., militants launched an attack on a group of suspected human traffickers who were allegedly preparing to smuggle people to Malaysia. The sudden outbreak of gunfire triggered panic in nearby villages, forcing residents to flee their homes. During the confusion, Sumaiya Akhter was hit by gunfire and critically injured. She was taken to the Teknaf Upazila Health Complex for emergency treatment but died from her wound...

  Buthidaung Township, now administered by the Arakan Army (AA), is witnessing a noticeable improvement in relations between Rakhine and Muslim communities, according to observations by AB News on the ground. Residents from both sides report growing trust and more positive day-to-day interactions. Muslim residents say that under the administration of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government, equal rights are being applied without distinction based on ethnicity or religion. Many compare the current situation favorably with the period under the former military junta, when restrictions on movement, education, and access to healthcare were widespread. A Rohingya Muslim resident of Buthidaung recalled that during the junta era, travel often involved checkpoints, questioning, and demands for money, creating a sense of constant insecurity. Under the current administration, he said, residents are able to move freely and feel safer in their daily lives. Education has also shown signs of...

  ULA Chairman Met Muslim Leaders in Maungdaw The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruling on jurisdiction over crimes related to the forced deportation of Rohingya people into Bangladesh marked a significant legal milestone. However, turning this ruling into meaningful justice remains a complex challenge, constrained by political resistance, limited access, and weak enforcement mechanisms inside Myanmar. For years, international accountability efforts have struggled to move beyond symbolic outcomes. Investigators have faced serious barriers in accessing affected areas, while geopolitical interests and limited cooperation have slowed efforts to establish clear chains of responsibility for crimes committed in northern Rakhine State in 2017. Within this evolving landscape, the United League of Arakan (ULA) and the Arakan Army (AA) have emerged as influential actors with the potential to shape the practical impact of the ICC process. Their growing administrative presence across ...

  Residents of Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan State report that Myanmar’s military regime is employing Muslim militiamen to break into and destroy homes in villages deserted due to ongoing conflict. According to local sources, militiamen have been demolishing houses and looting property from around 20 abandoned villages, including Leikkhamaw, Malakyun, Pyinshae, Kularbar, Gawtu, Chaungwa, Yaynantaung, Zaingchaung, Pyaingsaekay and Hnanphetaung. These areas were largely emptied after residents fled fighting between junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA). Villagers said household belongings are being loaded onto vehicles and taken away under orders from military officers. After homes are damaged or torn down, items such as furniture, wooden poles, planks and bricks are reportedly transported in large trucks to junta battalions. “They come in cars and trucks, saying they are following military instructions,” said one Kyaukphyu resident. “After destroying houses, they remove everything va...

  Residents of Bangladesh’s border region with Myanmar have accused several Rohingya militant groups of creating insecurity, extortion, and drug trafficking in the area, while denying allegations against the Arakan Army. Local residents told reporters that militant groups such as the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Islamic Movement (RIM), and Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) are jointly responsible for serious instability along the Teknaf Upazila border area. According to them, these groups are forcibly extorting money from border residents and Bangladeshi citizens and are actively involved in drug trafficking. “The Rohingya militant groups that devastated Myanmar are now destroying our border areas,” said one resident. Locals also alleged that the presence of these armed groups has severely restricted traditional livelihoods, including shrimp and crab farming, claiming that residents are barred from accessing their customary work a...

  A Bangladeshi primary schoolgirl has been critically injured after being hit by a stray bullet during cross-border clashes between an Islamist terrorist group and the Arakan Army (AA) in northern Maungdaw, according to local sources. The incident occurred on the morning of January 11 in the Hwaikyang area of Teknaf Township, Cox’s Bazar District. The girl was reportedly playing inside her family compound when gunfire broke out across the border, and a bullet struck her in the head, leaving her in critical condition. She was rushed to hospital, where she remains under treatment. The injured child has been identified as Apna Akter, a Grade 3 student at Haji Mohammad Hossain Government Primary School. She is the daughter of Jasin Uddin, a resident of Hwaikyang Ward No. 3. Local residents said they have heard repeated gunfire and explosions along the Bangladesh–Rakhine border in recent days. Following the incident, protesters temporarily blocked a main road, demanding stronger measu...

  Rohingya Islamic terrorist groups are reportedly massing at bases inside Bangladesh, preparing to cross the border into Arakan (Rakhine) State to launch attacks against the Arakan Army (AA) and non-Muslim communities, according to regional security sources. The mobilization is being described as a serious and imminent threat, with the terrorists allegedly exploiting porous border routes to infiltrate Arakan and carry out coordinated assaults. Local sources warn that the objective is to destabilize AA-controlled areas and reignite sectarian violence across the region. Residents in northern Arakan report growing fear as memories of past terrorist attacks—marked by killings, arson, and forced displacement—remain fresh. Observers accuse militant networks of using refugee cover and cross-border sanctuaries to regroup and prepare for renewed violence. The reports have intensified accusations that Bangladesh’s border regions are being used as a rear base for terrorist operations targeti...

Members of militant groups detained by the BGB (Photo credit) Members of the militant groups (Photocrd) Severe clashes broke out along the Myanmar–Bangladesh border on Sunday, leading to heavy casualties among militant fighters and raising renewed security concerns in the border region, according to local sources. The fighting reportedly began when members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and allied groups launched coordinated attacks on positions held by the Arakan Army (AA) near the border area of Kyee Kyun . The AA responded with strong counteroffensives, resulting in intense exchanges of fire involving both light and heavy weapons. Sources on the ground reported that the confrontations caused significant losses among ARSA fighters , with many others injured during the clashes. As the fighting escalated, a large number of militants fled the area, with some crossing into neighboring Bangladesh. Following the incident, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) confirmed tha...