By: Camp Correspondent
March 2025
The Arakan Army (AA), a Rakhine rebel group that seized full control of Maungdaw Township on December 8, 2024, has been accused of forcibly extorting food and money from Rohingya villagers in northern Maungdaw, Arakan (Rakhine) State, Myanmar.
Reports indicate that Rohingya communities, already struggling with extreme poverty and limited livelihood opportunities, are being coerced into handing over essential supplies to the armed group.
Daily Extortion of Food and Money
In Nant Chaung village, Rohingya residents are being forced to provide five bags of rice daily to the Arakan Army. Additionally, they must also contribute money for market expenses, despite having little to no income sources. A local source described the dire situation:
“We have to pay five bags of rice and other items every day to the Arakan Army. The villagers gather these supplies together and deliver them to avoid threats. If we fail to comply, the Arakan Army threatens to burn down our village, forcibly evict us, or detain people under false accusations.”
The Arakan Army’s demands are further worsening the already dire economic conditions of the Rohingya community, leaving many struggling to feed their own families while being forced to provide for the armed group.
Forced Evictions and Looting in Rohingya Villages
In addition to forced food and money extortion, the Rohingya community in Nant Chaung village has been subjected to additional forced contributions. In late February 2025, the Arakan Army reportedly demanded 200 blankets from the villagers, who had no choice but to comply.
Additionally, on February 1, 2025, the Arakan Army and Rakhine militia forcibly evicted Rohingya families from Gunnah Hamlet, a part of the Nant Chaung village tract. A resident from Gunnah Hamlet described the traumatic experience:
“They forced us to leave our homes and took everything—our beds, solar panels, batteries, poultry, closets, stoves, dishes, and other household items. Now, our houses are left empty.”
A Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The forced extortion, evictions, and looting come at a time when Rohingya communities in Maungdaw are already facing severe food shortages, rising malnutrition, and a lack of humanitarian aid.
With international organizations largely absent from the area, Rohingya villagers are left with no support while struggling under the Arakan Army’s oppressive rule.
The situation in Maungdaw is deteriorating rapidly, with ongoing reports of human rights abuses against the Rohingya population. Unless immediate action is taken to address these violations, thousands of Rohingya families remain at risk of starvation, displacement, and further persecution.
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