by Hafizur Rahman
Arakan, Myanmar, September 7, 2025, Rohingya communities in Arakan State are facing intensifying violence, severe restrictions, and worsening humanitarian conditions amid escalating conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar’s military forces. Reports point to rising intimidation, economic persecution, and forced displacement, leaving tens of thousands of civilians in urgent need of protection and aid.
Nightly Intimidation by Arakan Army
Residents of Mingala Gyi village in Maungdaw Township described frequent beatings, threats, and harassment by AA patrols after 7 p.m. Elderly men and worshippers heading to the mosque were among those assaulted and humiliated, with soldiers threatening to kill them and declaring that “nobody will help” if they are buried quietly. These nightly abuses have confined residents to their homes in fear after dark.
Restrictions on Farming and Fishing
In Buthidaung Township, Rohingya farmers said they are forced to pay heavy taxes or hand over crops to militias to continue planting on their own land. Fishing, once a lifeline for families, has been heavily restricted, leaving many unable to feed their children. Food prices have soared, malnutrition is worsening, and families are increasingly surviving on one meal a day or borrowing food to stay alive.
Control of Communication and Extortion
Rohingya in Maungdaw also face communication restrictions as the AA limits internet access. Residents attempting to use signals from nearby areas said they were harassed and forced to pay money to commanders just to stay in touch with relatives or conduct essential transactions. Locals warn that the clampdown has left communities more isolated and vulnerable.
Mass Displacement and Perilous Journeys
Amid growing hardship, large numbers of Rohingya are preparing to flee to Bangladesh. Sources reported that more than 300 people from Ferenfaru village and surrounding areas are waiting to cross the Naf River, often relying on smugglers under dangerous conditions. While the AA reportedly does not block departures, it has demanded money to allow safe passage. Many who attempt the crossing face life-threatening risks at sea.
UN Report on Atrocities
The United Nations has documented grave human rights violations against Rohingya and other minorities across Myanmar between April 2024 and May 2025. Both the Myanmar military and AA were implicated in killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, mass displacement, and village burnings. Drone strikes and aerial bombardments accounted for nearly half of civilian deaths during this period.
The UN estimates that more than 118,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since late 2023, with hundreds dying during perilous crossings. It also warned that food insecurity is worsening, with millions across Myanmar at risk of acute hunger.
A Crisis Without End
For Rohingya in northern Arakan, the threats are layered — physical violence, economic persecution, restrictions on communication, and forced displacement. With both the AA and Myanmar military implicated in atrocities, accountability remains elusive.
The UN has urged urgent international intervention, increased humanitarian assistance, and accountability mechanisms to prevent further loss of life. Until such steps are taken, Rohingya civilians remain trapped in what rights advocates describe as one of the most urgent human rights crises in the world today.
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