by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, October 9, 2025:
Residents of Maungdaw have alleged that senior leaders of the Arakan Army (AA) are using motorbikes that once belonged to Rohingya civilians who went missing or fled during last year’s fighting for control of the town.
Disappearance of Vehicles During the 2024 Battle
During the heavy fighting on August 16, 2024, many Rohingya families fled their homes as the AA seized Maungdaw from junta control. In the chaos, more than 300 cars and over 5,000 motorbikes owned by Rohingya residents disappeared. Locals now say that some of these vehicles are being openly used by AA commanders and officers.
One example shared by residents involved a Thai-made motorbike worth around 15 million kyats. It reportedly belonged to the son of the former administrator of Myo Ma South Ward, who fled during the conflict. The same motorbike was later seen being used by a senior AA commander in southern Maungdaw.
Incident Sparks Anger Among Residents
A witness told Rohingya Khobor that on September 22, around 11 a.m., the same motorbike was spotted at a repair shop in town. “When the original owner informed the AA’s intelligence office, an officer came to investigate. But when he arrived, the commander fired a shot into the ground and said, ‘You can’t take the bike back.’ The officer quietly left afterward,” the resident said.
The former ward administrator, U Hla Thein, also known as Mujee Ullah, was reportedly killed by the AA in January 2024. His family’s property, including vehicles, has since been missing.
Widespread Confiscation of Rohingya Property
Locals reported that most vehicles registered under Rohingya names vanished during displacement and have not been returned. Some owners managed to recover their motorbikes only after paying large sums of money to AA members.
Residents further alleged that AA officers in Maungdaw have been seizing Rohingya-owned property, including motorbikes, cars, and household goods, for personal use. “They took everything when we fled and are now using our belongings as their own,” one villager said.
Calls for Accountability
Community members have urged international observers and human rights organisations to investigate these reports and document the confiscation of civilian property in AA-controlled areas. Many say such actions reflect a wider pattern of exploitation and abuse that continues to make Rohingya civilians feel unsafe even after the fighting ended.
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