by Hafizur Rahman
Sittwe Township, Arakan State | December 11, 2025
A Rohingya child was killed and another seriously injured on Wednesday afternoon after a short range rocket fired by the Arakan Army exploded near a military camp close to Thet Kay Pyin village in Sittwe Township, local residents said. The incident took place around 1:30 pm when the rocket, reportedly aimed at a Myanmar Junta camp, detonated near the camp entrance, close to Rohingya homes.
Villagers said they heard a sharp whistling sound followed by a powerful explosion that shook nearby houses and sent panic through the area. The blast struck just before the rocket reached the village, killing one child instantly and leaving another fighting for his life.
A Rohingya community leader from Sittwe told Rohingya Khobor that residents were inside their homes when the explosion occurred. He said one child died on the spot, while another was critically injured and rushed for medical help.
Residents said Rohingya communities have repeatedly been caught in the crossfire between armed groups and the Myanmar Junta. Many recalled similar incidents in 2024, when Arakan Army drones and heavy weapons struck Rohingya neighbourhoods in Maungdaw, killing and injuring dozens of civilians, including women and children.
A resident of Thet Kay Pyin village said fear has become part of daily life. He said every time weapons are fired, families pray the attacks do not reach their homes, but this time children paid the price for a conflict they did not choose.
By evening, the atmosphere in the area remained tense. Families gathered their children indoors, afraid of further attacks. Several residents said they have not been able to sleep peacefully for months due to ongoing violence.
Local Rohingya residents also told Rohingya Khobor that the Arakan Army frequently targets a nearby checkpoint where Rohingya are forced to get down from motorcycles, bicycles, and vehicles and pass through on foot. They alleged that Rohingya are often beaten at the checkpoint, while Rakhine people are allowed to move freely without being stopped or harassed. Residents said this unequal treatment has created deep fear, especially for children and elderly people who must use the road daily.
One villager said the armed group is aware that Rohingya have no alternative routes and continue to face abuse as a result.
A Rohingya mother who rushed to the scene after the blast said seeing the injured child left her devastated. She said the community has been living in constant fear.
As night fell, Rohingya families in Sittwe mourned the loss of the young child and braced themselves for further violence, fearing that the fighting will continue to claim innocent lives.
