Fierce Battle Erupts Between ARSA and Arakan Army Near Merulla Mountain

By: Camp Correspondent

April 26, 2025 | Southern Maungdaw, Arakan (Rakhine State)

Heavy fighting broke out between Rohingya resistance forces under the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Arakan Army (AA) near Merulla (မြင်းလွှတ်) Mountain in southern Maungdaw on the afternoon of April 23.

The clash, which began around 12:40 PM and continued until approximately 3:00 PM, resulted in significant casualties for the AA, according to field reports from ARSA.

“At least 23 AA fighters were killed and another 31 wounded during the operation,” stated Ustat Khaled, Ground Operation Commander of ARSA.

Assault on AA Positions and Seizure of Weapons

The battle reportedly started when ARSA launched an offensive targeting approximately 40 makeshift camps established by AA forces in preparation for further military operations.

Following intense combat, ARSA fighters successfully captured a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition from AA encampments.

Although several ARSA members sustained injuries, no fatalities have been reported among Rohingya resistance fighters as of this writing.

Public Warning Issued by ARSA Leadership

Commander Khaled issued a strong statement to the broader communities of Arakan, warning against support for the AA.

“Helping the terrorist AA will only bring disaster and suffering to your people,” Khaled declared, urging local ethnic groups to remain neutral and refrain from aiding groups accused of committing abuses against Rohingya civilians.

He further revealed that video documentation of the operation has been recorded and will be released soon for public viewing.

A Broader Commitment to Justice and Protection

In the aftermath of the fighting, ARSA reaffirmed its commitment to defending the Rohingya people’s right to justice, security, and freedom in their ancestral homeland.

“We call upon all oppressed communities in Arakan to stand together against injustice, and to work toward a future where peace and dignity are possible for all,” ARSA said in a statement.

Tensions Rising Across Maungdaw and Buthidaung

This confrontation comes amid escalating tensions across northern Arakan, where Rohingya civilians are increasingly caught between armed factions, facing forced conscription, displacement, and violence.

Observers fear that as fighting intensifies, the humanitarian crisis for Rohingya families—already struggling with food shortages, movement restrictions, and insecurity—could further worsen without urgent international attention.