by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, March 21, 2026
All Rohingya residents of Thu Oo Hla village in northern Maungdaw Township were forced out of their homes by the Arakan Army on Eid day, according to local sources, with villagers including women, children, and elderly people held for hours under harsh conditions.
The incident began around 10:00 a.m. when a large number of Arakan Army members entered the village shortly after Eid prayers. Residents said they were ordered to leave their homes immediately and were not allowed to take food or belongings.
Villagers, including breastfeeding babies and elderly people, were kept outside and made to remain in the rain while checks were carried out, according to local sources.
At the same time, Arakan Army members conducted house-to-house searches across the village. Residents said doors were broken, locked homes were forcibly entered, and property was damaged during the operation.
“Today is Eid. We had just finished prayers, and some people were preparing food. Suddenly, they came into the village and forced everyone out. Even small babies were not spared. We are still outside without food,” one Rohingya resident told Rohingya Khobor.
Another villager said, “They searched every house. They broke doors and damaged things inside. Some families had locked their homes, but they still broke in and checked.”
Local sources said many men fled to nearby villages out of fear when Arakan Army members entered the area. Women, children, and elderly residents were reportedly taken to a local school under Arakan Army control, where they were held for questioning.
“We are very worried, especially for the women. No one knows what will happen next. We have been held since morning, and they have not allowed us to return home,” another Rohingya source said.
Residents said the operation may be linked to an accusation, but no clear reason has been communicated to the community.
As of the time of reporting, villagers were still being held, and the situation remains tense.
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