By: Hafizur Rahman, Camp Correspondent
February 3, 2025
On February 3, 2025, the Arakan Army (AA) announced that thousands of displaced Rohingya from Maungdaw town and surrounding areas would not be allowed to return to their homes. This decision has deepened concerns over the forced displacement and the uncertain future faced by Rohingya families uprooted by ongoing conflict.
Meeting with Village Leaders
On February 2, AA officials held a meeting with Rohingya village leaders in northern Maungdaw Township to discuss the possibility of repatriation for displaced families. During the meeting, AA representatives mentioned that they had listed Rohingya from Ward 5 and were planning to allow them to return soon. However, as of February 3, no families from Ward 5 had received permission to go back.
A displaced Rohingya from Ward 5 told Rohingya Khobor,
“Our future remains uncertain. We don’t know where we will go to save our lives. People cannot return home, and we are facing significant challenges.”
Restrictions on Return
AA officials confirmed that there are no plans to permit the return of Rohingya from Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 within Maungdaw town. Additionally, displaced Rohingya from Kanyin Taung and Maung Ni Wards—located about four miles from Maungdaw town—have also been informed that there is no arrangement for their return.
Ongoing Displacement Amidst Conflict
This latest decision is part of a broader pattern of forced displacement affecting the Rohingya population in northern Rakhine State. In recent months, the AA has forced many Rohingya families to leave their villages, including in Palei Daung, Buthidaung, and Gongna Hamlet in Maungdaw.
A displaced Rohingya man from Buthidaung told Rohingya Khobor,
“AA is pushing us out of our villages one by one. Where are we supposed to go? We have no land, no food, and no rights. We are treated as if we do not exist.”
For months, displaced Rohingya have struggled to survive without adequate food, shelter, or medical care amid the conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military. Many are considering fleeing to Bangladesh, despite the dangerous journey. In previous incidents, reports indicated that thousands of Rohingya were killed in drone attacks and airstrikes along the coast of Maungdaw Township, with more than 500 bodies recovered from the shores of Teknaf in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar—home to over one million Rohingya—remain severely overcrowded.
Continued Uncertainty
Despite the absence of major battles in Maungdaw town, Rohingya communities continue to be denied the right to return, while Rakhine and Hindu residents have reportedly been allowed to move back into their homes. The situation underscores the enduring challenges and risks faced by the Rohingya community amid escalating conflict and persistent displacement in Rakhine State.
