Arakkha Government Relocates Local Muslims Who Fled Due to Threats from ARSA Group to Safer Areas

News January 2, 2026

In Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, local Muslim residents from Kyauk Chaung and Phat Lip Pyin villages abandoned their homes due to threats from the ARSA group. On December 31, they permanently relocated to the safer Yay Twin Pyin village, as observed on the ground by AB News.

These local Muslims had to walk for about three hours on foot through difficult mountain paths and valleys to reach Yay Twin Pyin village.

These villages have very few households, so residents feared dangers such as ambushes, abductions, and killings by the ARSA group. The Arakan Army (AA) provided security along the route and arranged for them to live collectively in Yay Twin Pyin village.

The village administrator of Yay Twin Pyin, Shuna Mya, who welcomed them, said: "We, the villagers, warmly welcome the newcomers. Previously, Phat Lip Pyin had only over 20 households, and Kyauk Chaung had just 4. In such small villages, at night, groups like ARSA often carry out ambushes and abductions, making security very poor. Now that they are living together in our village, it gives them peace of mind, and we will help as much as we can."

According to current records, a total of 27 households and 92 people from the two villages have relocated and settled.

• Phat Lip Pyin Muslim village: 23 households, total 73 people (45 males, 28 females). Age groups: 13 children under 5 years, 12 aged 5-12 years, 36 aged 18-60 years, 4 over 60 years; including 7 breastfeeding mothers.

• Kyauk Chaung Muslim village: 4 households, total 19 people (7 males, 12 females). Age groups: 3 children under 5 years, 4 aged 5-12 years, 5 aged 18-60 years, 1 over 60 years; including 1 breastfeeding mother.

  
  

A Muslim resident from Kyauk Chaung who fled, Hami Ho Song, said: "In the old village, with so few people, we couldn't sleep at night due to fear of ARSA threats—we were always anxious. The journey here took about 3 hours on foot and was very tiring. Now living in a larger group feels much safer. However, we left buffalo and cattle behind, so we've asked the AA for help to retrieve them. They’ve also promised to provide land for farming and livelihoods, and to build schools and clinics, which gives us hope for our families' future."

Additionally, detailed population records are being collected to systematically provide healthcare, education, and basic needs. Farmland will also be fairly allocated for livelihoods, according to an AA administrative official who spoke to AB News.

Maungdaw District sub-township administrator Saudula Min (aka Maung Maung Aye) said: "By having local residents live collectively in secure areas, we aim to protect them from ARSA threats and ensure administrative services reach them. Collecting detailed records allows us to provide healthcare, education, and essentials systematically. We will also arrange, based on security conditions, to retrieve left-behind livestock."

Currently, the Arakan Army is constructing housing and providing basic food aid for the relocated families to settle, according to sources.

source@arakanbaynews