On December 17, 2024, at approximately 1 p.m., the Arakan Army (AA) reportedly set fire to Rohingya houses and buildings in several villages of Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State. The affected villages include Maung Ni, Pey Zi, Ali, and Ward No. 02 in Maungdaw downtown. The fire raged until the evening, leaving behind devastation and displacing many residents.
Eyewitnesses and local sources claim that the fires were intentionally set by the Arakan Army (AA). “The houses and buildings belonging to the Rohingyas were set on fire one by one,” a source stated, adding, “There was no fighting, and the villages were deliberately set ablaze under the pretense of conflict.”
A resident of Maungdaw shared their fears, saying, “They are deliberately burning the houses and buildings because they don’t want the Rohingyas to remain in their original villages and wards. Their aim is to make the downtown area a Rohingya-free zone.”
The Arakan Army (AA) has also reportedly imposed a curfew in northern Maungdaw Township, restricting movement in Rohingya villages from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. This curfew, combined with the deliberate destruction of homes, has intensified the hardship faced by the Rohingya community in the region.
The deliberate targeting of Rohingya villages highlights ongoing ethnic and political tensions in Rakhine State. It further underscores the persistent challenges Rohingya people face in maintaining their presence and identity in their homeland. International and regional actors have yet to address these allegations effectively, leaving the Rohingya community increasingly vulnerable.
Efforts to independently verify the claims remain ongoing, as the affected region remains largely inaccessible to journalists and humanitarian organizations.
