by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, Rakhine State | April 1, 2026
Two members of the Arakan Army were arrested in Maungdaw Township after fleeing from Buthidaung Township with weapons, according to local sources.
Reports indicate that a group of 12 Arakan Army fighters escaped from a camp in Buthidaung in recent days, taking weapons with them. Following the escape, Arakan Army members began searching for them quietly across Buthidaung and Maungdaw areas.
One of the fighters was arrested at around 12:30 a.m. in Mingalar Gyi village in Maungdaw Township. Local sources said he is a Rohingya man and was carrying a firearm at the time of arrest. He is reported to be the son of a man known as U Basir, who is believed to be linked to a local group.
At that stage, only one of the 12 escaped fighters had been captured, while the remaining 11 were still at large. Later, at around 12:03 p.m. on the same day, another fighter was arrested in Shwe Zar village. He is reported to be an ethnic Rakhine.
Sources said that investigations are ongoing, with Arakan Army intelligence personnel questioning the detained men. Search operations are continuing to locate and arrest the remaining fighters.
Further details are expected as the situation develops.
