by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, September 15, 2025: Violence erupted again in northern Arakan State on Monday as Rohingya residents of Hoillabah village in Maungdaw township reported a series of coordinated attacks allegedly carried out by Arakan Army (AA) fighters with the involvement of local Rakhine civilians.
Looting in Broad Daylight
Community members said the incidents began between 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Burmese time when at least three Rohingya-owned houses were broken into and looted. Families reported that valuables, food supplies, and household items were forcibly taken away, leaving residents with little to survive on.
Nighttime Arson Attack
Later that night, at around 11:00 p.m., four more Rohingya homes were set ablaze. Witnesses alleged that AA fighters, accompanied by local Rakhine men, carried out the arson while villagers hid nearby in fear of further violence.
One villager told Rohingya Khobor: “They entered our homes, took everything, and then returned at night to burn more houses. We are terrified, with nowhere to go and no safety left.”
Another resident described the destruction: “We saw flames rising in the dark as our homes were set on fire. Families fled into hiding, unsure if the attackers would return.”
Displacement and Fear
The attacks have left several families displaced, further deepening the humanitarian crisis for Rohingya communities already living under severe restrictions in Maungdaw and across Arakan State.
Local residents say these incidents are part of a broader campaign of intimidation designed to uproot Rohingya from their homes and villages. Independent verification remains difficult as access to Maungdaw township is tightly restricted and communication lines are limited.
