By: Camp Correspondent
April 13, 2025 | Maungdaw, Rakhine State
Rohingya families preparing to return to their homes in Kyain Tan and Maung Ni neighborhoods of Maungdaw town have reported that Arakan Army (AA/ULA) soldiers looted their homes prior to their return, leaving behind only structural shells of what once were livable shelters.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, on April 11, armed members of the AA entered vacant Rohingya houses, dismantled tin roofs, removed furniture and appliances, and allegedly stole items such as solar panels, batteries, water pumps, electric meters, engines, and even doors and window frames.
“It was like a planned operation. They removed everything of value. Even the roofs were gone,” said one returning resident from Maung Ni who was allowed to visit his house briefly under supervision.
Deliberate Delay and Disguised Raids
While some neighborhoods in Maungdaw have already been cleared for return, Kyain Tan and Maung Ni remained restricted until recently. Residents now say this delay appears calculated.
“They told us to wait, and now we understand why. They needed time to finish taking everything,” said a Rohingya man who fled in early March.
Eyewitnesses claim that the looted items were loaded onto ‘Tiba’ trucks—local transport vehicles—and transported along the Buthidaung–Maungdaw highway. Several of the AA personnel were seen dressed in civilian clothing, likely to avoid identification and make the operation appear non-military.
Shops owned by Rohingya were also reportedly targeted. In many cases, locks were broken, goods were taken, and then the premises were relocked with new padlocks, effectively concealing the theft until theowners returned.
“My shop was locked. When I came back, it had a different lock, and everything inside was gone,” said a Rohingya trader from Kyain Tan.
A Return to Emptiness
Though the AA had announced that Rohingya residents would soon be allowed to return to Kyain Tan and Maung Ni, the state of destruction and looting has left most homes uninhabitable. Several families have said they now have no materials to repair their homes, no money to replace stolen goods, and no compensation or explanation from the authorities in control.
“It feels like they want us to start again from nothing—no food, no shelter, no dignity,” said a displaced Rohingya mother who had hoped to return before Eid.
Residents say that the looting appears systematic, not incidental—further reinforcing fears that the return process is not being conducted with fairness or security.
Ongoing Insecurity and Loss of Trust
The incident has deepened mistrust between returning Rohingya and the armed group now controlling Maungdaw town. Rights monitors have previously warned that returning displaced civilians without proper monitoring, protection, or restitution mechanisms may expose them to renewed harm.
As of now, no official comment has been made by the Arakan Army regarding the reported looting, nor any acknowledgment of the damage caused.
