Locals Alarmed by Armed ARSA Activities in Military Uniforms in Bangladesh

News January 21, 2026

Residents in the hilly areas of Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, are expressing growing concern over the visible presence and movement of the armed ARSA group, whose members have reportedly been operating in military-style uniforms and conducting organized patrols, according to local sources.

Local Muslim residents said they have repeatedly reported these activities to the authorities, but no effective action has been taken. As a result, civilians are facing increasing insecurity, including incidents of killings and kidnappings.

“They are moving around the Teknaf hills every day,” a local resident said. “Because the government is ignoring the situation, it is the local people who are suffering. Even when we stay in our own homes, we are exposed to both heavy and small arms fire.”

Residents further stated that border guard forces and the military are aware of the armed groups’ movements in uniform, yet no concrete measures have been taken to stop them. Locals are now strongly urging the government to launch an urgent joint operation to clear the area and restore public security.

Public anger has intensified following the killing of a local woman in Teknaf Township last Thursday, reportedly due to gunfire by the ARSA group. The frequency of kidnappings has also increased, prompting residents to stress that ensuring public safety is the government’s responsibility.

ARSA T-Shirts (Photocrd: ABN)

Across the border in northern Maungdaw Township of Arakan State, Muslim extremist armed groups, including ARSA, ARA, and RIM, have reportedly been carrying out large-scale attacks on bases of the Arakan Army (AA). Fighting near Kyee Kyun Island on January 11 reportedly left around 50 ARSA members dead, while approximately 200 others fled into Bangladesh.

The armed groups are said to be infiltrating Maungdaw Township via the border and carrying out ambush attacks on AA positions, resulting in continued clashes between the two sides. Local residents warn that failure by the Bangladesh government to effectively suppress these groups could further destabilize the border region.

Separately, sources inside Muslim refugee camps in Bangladesh report that ARSA is raising funds by selling T-shirts bearing the group’s logo and military-style colors. ARSA members are reportedly active in all 33 refugee camps, where the shirts are being distributed and sold at 550 Bangladeshi taka (Tk) each.

According to local residents, the campaign primarily targets youths aged 12 and above as a means of demonstrating and expanding the group’s influence. ARSA members wearing the group’s insignia are reportedly moving freely not only within the refugee camps but also as far as Chittagong, one of Bangladesh’s major cities.

Despite ongoing propaganda and fundraising activities by armed groups inside the camps, local Muslims say security concerns are mounting due to what they describe as a lack of effective preventive measures or enforcement by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Source@arakanbaynews