Arakan Army Orders Rohingya to Vacate Three Villages in Northern Maungdaw by April 15

By: Camp Correspondent

April 9, 2025 | U Kyi Chaek Village Group, Northern Maungdaw, Rakhine State
In a troubling development, the Arakan Army (AA) has issued an ultimatum ordering Rohingya residents of three villages in the U Kyi Chaek village group of northern Maungdaw to vacate their homes by April 15, sparking fear and uncertainty among already vulnerable communities.

The villages, composed of nine blocks, have long been home to Rohingya families who have lived in relative harmony with neighboring ethnic groups. However, a recent visit by AA officials has upended this fragile stability.

According to local sources, AA representatives held a meeting with villagers last week, during which they imposed several new restrictions. These included a strict night curfew from 6 PM to 6 AM, a ban on any alleged ties to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), mandatory travel permits signed by AA commanders, and a requirement to report all external visitors.

In addition, households were reportedly instructed to provide one bamboo pole and ten roofing sheets each—raising concerns of forced labor or resource exploitation. Most alarming, however, was the direct order for all Rohingya residents to leave the villages by April 15 or “face consequences.”

“This is our home. We’ve never supported ARSA—they’ve only brought suffering to our people,” said one Rohingya villager. “We plead with the Arakan Army not to punish innocent civilians based on false accusations. Deal with facts, not fear.”

Community members say they fear retaliatory violence or arbitrary arrests if they fail to comply. The demand to vacate their villages comes amid a wider pattern of forced displacement, threats, and rights violations targeting Rohingya civilians in areas currently under AA control.

Despite claims by AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), that they support equality for all ethnic groups, Rohingya communities say their treatment continues to reflect deep-rooted discrimination and exclusion.

Human rights observers warn that such forced evictions without due process constitute a violation of international humanitarian law, particularly when targeted at a stateless and persecuted group.

As the April 15 deadline looms, affected families are left with few options—and no clarity on where they will go if evicted.