Weekly Update of Arakan

Reports of food, water, and currency shortages, skyrocketing market prices, and waterborne illnesses in Akyab have taken Rohingyas to a breaking point

According to Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN, there is serious worry about the scarcity of food, water, and money in Akyab, the capital of Arakan State, as well as the rising costs of goods and services. He made reference to Rakhine State when discussing Myanmar on May 20, at a briefing held at the UN headquarters. 

“The scarcity of drinking water, the rising cost of market prices, the shortage of food and cash, and the growing incidence of waterborne illnesses make the situation in Sittwe extremely concerning,” said Dujarric. 

He continued by saying that the UN is keeping a careful eye on events in Arakan State and is extremely worried about the most recent reports of rising violence and property damage there. Concerning Myanmar, the UN is nevertheless keeping a careful eye on the rapidly worsening circumstances in Arakan State, which represent a serious risk to every community in one of the nation’s most impoverished areas. 

“The most recent reports of further escalating violence and destruction taking place in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships deeply alarm our team on the ground,” he said. He saw that vital services and humanitarian aid were being disrupted in the whole Arakan State. 

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, made a plea to the UN last week, urging it to put an end to hostilities, safeguard civilians, grant immediate and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, offer safety and shelter to refugees on the run, and make it easier for them to enter neighbouring countries safely.

Akyab was once a mixed city where Rakhines only had a slim majority over the Rohingyas.That changed in 2012 when Rohingya residents were killed en masse, driven out to the frontier areas. Survivors were driven to the ghetto of Aung Minglar which has been separated from the rest of the town by barbed wire and security forces. No one enters or leaves without their permission.

However as the Arakha Army advances and a clash for control of the state capital looms , much of the Rakhine population have fled. On the other hand, Rohingyas who lack citizenship rights and face enormous movement restrictions have been left behind. With no income for years, Rohingyas are in dire straits to get access to food amidst skyrocketing prices as well as access to clean water. Barring a few NGOs, most have left the state capital, severing the last life line for many Akyab residents.

Lack of clean water has resulted in a diarrhoea outbreak killing hundreds, according to aid agencies. 

23.5.2024

To feed the 500,000 IDPs in their sphere of influence, AA is pleading for aid assistance

The ethnic armed group stated that around 200,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), including Muslims from Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, who are seeking refuge in areas under the control of the Arakha Army (AA), require essential relief supplies, including food and medicine. 

The remaining 200,000 IDPs include Arakanese and members of other ethnic minorities, with Muslims making up about 80% of the group. 

Asserting that it is providing enough care for the displaced, the AA stated that it is in need of food, infant supplies, sanitary pads, shelter, latrines, and other necessities of life. International organisations, nongovernmental organisations, donor groups, and private individuals have all been requested to contribute by the AA. 

According to an AA statement, the organisation is faithfully carrying out its duties and taking on its stance in the face of numerous complaints over the intricate circumstances in Arakan State. The message went on to say that over 500,000 individuals, regardless of their race or religion, are seeking refuge in AA-controlled areas, and that the organisation is safeguarding and assisting them.

However, the AA has been involved in the mass killings of Rohingya Muslims in the Buthidaung region leading Rohingya activists to question the group’s sincerity in providing for Rohingya IDPs.

24.5.2024

In Arakan State, school enrollment starts in the academic year 2024–2025

Locals in Arakan State’s junta-held townships report that basic education school enrollment for the 2024–2025 academic year has started. Enrollment for the 2024–2025 school year started on May 23 in the townships of Sittwe, Taungup, Ann, Manaung, Gwa, Kyaukphyu, and Thandwe in Arakan State. 

“On May 23, schools in our town began accepting school enrollment.””Today, I noticed some students enrolled in our town’s schools,” a Taungup local said. The dictatorship has scheduled the enrollment period to run from May 23 to June 2, which falls on June 3, the day basic education schools open for the new school year. 

Although the regime has accepted enrollments, most students are reportedly unable to register because of security concerns and displacement resulting from conflict between the junta and the Arakkha Army (AA). “Furthermore, parents are concerned about their children’s safety due to the ongoing fighting in Arakan State,” a junior assistant teacher in Ann stated. 

“The fighting has displaced many students, leaving only a few to enrol in schools.” The continuous combat in Maungdaw, Ann, and Thandwe townships between the military and AA has parents and students worried about their safety. 

Fighting has been going on in Arakan State for over six months, with the AA taking over huge areas of land and essentially dominating nine townships, in addition to Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

25.5.2024

Junta increases forces amid AA offensive in Maungdaw

The locals claimed that the military junta was using waterways to support its reinforcements while the Arakan Army was stepping up its offensive to seize the whole Maungdaw region of Arakan State. In addition, to stave off the AA assault, junta troops have set up defensive positions in civilian areas, including in places of worship. 

Maung Ni village-tract, Kanyin Tan village-tract, Aye Tar Li Yar village-tract, and Shwe Zar village-tract are where the junta soldiers have set up their stations. A local claimed, “They are using the town’s religious buildings and schools.” 

 The AA has gained a significant operational advantage with the capture of the entire Buthidaung region as it requires the SAC to prevent offensives across a huge space from the East where the AA offensive is likely to come.  

The military uses the canals to transport reinforcements almost daily. Two landing craft arrived on May 20. On May 22, in the evening, two more landing craft arrived. On May 22, two landing craft reinforced the 2nd and 5th border guard police battalions, delivering five vehicles with artillery ammunition and five vehicles with men. On May 20, two landing craft carried five vehicles filled with artillery shells to support the soldiers at the Kanyin Chaung economic zone and the 5th Border Guard Police Battalion. 

The junta has maintained control over  ARSA members in order to prevent Maungdaw from collapsing. The junta has control over the town’s entrance and egress. 

A Muslim resident said, “Anyone caught trying to flee the town will be arrested and even shot at. Even then some residents have fled Maungdaw for safer shelters, fearing that the AA may assault them shortly.

The AA detains Rohingyas in Maungdaw

Four Rohingya fishermen from Thu Oo Hla Rohingya village (Kular Bill) in northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, Myanmar, have been detained by the AA since May 22nd, seemingly without cause. Sayedul Islam (30 years old), Salamat Ullah (21 years old), Korim Ullah (30 years old), and Mohammad Noor (25 years old) are the four people who have been arrested, according to the AA. 

These four Rohingya fishermen reside in the northern Maungdaw Township village of Thu Oo Hla. One resident on condition of anonymity  said, “Fishing is the vocation and means of subsistence for most Rohingyas in Kular Bill. Those fishermen, who are Rohingya, were abducted on May 22 and have not yet returned home. The AA went with the motorcyclists that kidnapped them. They are fishermen, and they are innocent citizens. 

One villager remarked, “Their families and the villagers still don’t know where they are.” A party of AA members came to the Thu Oo Hla Rohingya community in the evening of May 20. The village chairman met with them and made arrangements for food and other requirements. 

AA remained in the Rohingya community of Thu Oo Hla until May 21st. At approximately 10 a.m. on May 22, the AA entered Bodi Pyin village by patrolling from Thu Oo Hla village. Four Rohingyas were detained while seated at a local shop in Bodi Pyin, which is located in northern Maungdaw Township. After being cruelly and inhumanely beaten and tortured there, they were led to the Buthidaung village of Ywet Nyo Taung. 

A resident of Bodi Pyin said that “after abducting the four men from the village, AA forcibly gathered all the villagers at a place and intimidated them by accusing them of being informants and supporters of militias and Bengali armed groups with baseless accusations.” The meeting was held by the locals from approximately 10 a.m. to 8 a.m. 

The people living in the Rohingya settlements of Thu Oo Hla and Bodi Pyin are in dire danger, and AA is intimidating them. The villagers are scared and in a panic since AA abducted them based on false allegations.

26.5.2024

Every Rohingya returnee that fled the violence from Tha Yet Oke Village Tract in Maungdaw Township and Paung Zar/La Baw Zar Village is forced to pay AA 50,000 kyats

Since the beginning of May, there have been some deaths among the villagers due to fighting between the AA and the Myanmar Military. In Maungdaw Township’s Tha Yet Oke Village Tract and Paung Zar/La Baw Zar Village, almost 7,000 people experienced hardships and fled the fighting. 

The military council moved up to the city and withdrew from the surrounding area. The AA claims that the Rohingya people have funds and asks 50,000 kyats  for every individual when they attempt to return to their communities after fleeing the conflict. 

They were required to pay 250,000 kyats if the household consisted of five persons. If they don’t pay, they are not allowed to go back to the village, according to an order from the AA troops in control of the area. For these refugees afflicted by the war, it is a significant amount of money. Furthermore, Maungdaw locals made up 60 of the 384 inmates that the Military Council freed from Buthidaung Prison on May 15. 

After announcing the release of the Maungdaw Rohingya citizens from prison, AA collected 300,000 from each of their families and promised to bring them back to their communities securely. 

Some of those inmates, though, haven’t returned home until now. Our correspondent in the area was informed by a family member of the released prisoner that he had no idea where he was.

27.5.2024