By: Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw Township, Arakan State | May 2, 2025
A series of brutal actions by the Arakan Army (ULA/AA) in northern Maungdaw has left Rohingya villagers in terror, as reports emerge of homes being burned, residents tied up and beaten in paddy fields, and civilians—including refugees from displacement camps—being detained without charge.
Mass Detentions and House Burnings in Oo Sha Kya
On May 1, around 100 AA fighters stormed Oo Sha Kya village (Quarter 1) in Maungdaw, accusing residents of sheltering ARSA members. Despite finding no armed individuals, at least five homes were set ablaze, including those of Hafiz Shamshu Ahmed and Nurul Amin.
Eyewitnesses reported that more than 60 villagers were tied up, beaten, and dragged into nearby paddy fields where they were held for hours under the sun.
“They didn’t investigate anything properly. They just tied up innocent people like criminals,” said one villager. “Women and children were running in fear. We still don’t know what we did wrong.”
Later that night, the village reportedly remained under siege, with continued house-to-house checks, interrogations, and arbitrary arrests.
Entire Village Forced into the Field During May 2 Raid
Just a day later, on May 2, AA forces again raided Oo Sha Kya village early in the morning—this time with nearly 200 armed men. They sealed off the area, forced residents out of their homes, including the elderly and children, and marched the entire village to a nearby field.
“We were made to sit in the open sun from 8 AM until after 2 PM, without water or food,” a resident told Rohingya Khobor. “Some of us were slapped or hit during questioning.”
After checking household documents and personal photos, at least 10 people were taken away by the AA. The rest were allowed to return home later that day.
Rohingya Refugee Detained from Hla Po Khaung Camp
On April 25, Adu Rahman (26), a Rohingya man living in Hla Po Khaung Camp, was arrested by AA troops and taken to Area 6 in Pyin Phyu village. He had previously fled to the camp from Kyi Kan Pyin due to past violence.
For three days, Rahman’s family was denied any access to him. Only yesterday were they allowed to send food and medicine. The AA has not explained the reason for his detention, merely stating it was “for questioning.”
Pattern of Oppression Under AA Control
Since taking over Maungdaw Township, the Arakan Army has been repeatedly accused of targeting Rohingya civilians through beatings, house burnings, forced disappearances, and military-style raids. While the AA claims these operations are directed at rooting out insurgents, villagers assert that no armed group remains in the area.
“These actions must stop,” said a community member familiar with the matter. “If those who claim to be fighting for justice turn into oppressors, then everything being fought for in Rakhine is lost.”
Rohingya Communities Left in Fear
The repeated raids, detention of youth, physical abuse, and destruction of homes have left thousands of Rohingya trapped in fear, without protection or access to justice. With both state forces withdrawn and AA rule unchecked, residents say they feel abandoned by the world.
“We are not militants. We are civilians trying to survive. But the more we stay silent, the more they destroy us,” said a Rohingya elder from the area.
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