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New Report By HDCO Uncovers 162 Civilian Deaths by Islamist Armed Groups in Northern Rakhine State Over 27 Months
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 31
News
March 5, 2027
A detailed report released by Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO), the humanitiarian wing of the ULA-Arakkha Government, states Islamist militant groups—primarily the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA)—of killing 162 civilians, injuring 22 others, and forcibly disappearing 30 individuals in northern Arakan (Rakhine State) between November 2023 and January 2026.
The 40-page document, titled "Violence Against Civilians by Islamist Armed Groups in Northern Arakan: An In-Depth Analysis", dated March 4, 2026, claims these acts were driven by religious extremism, hatred, and efforts to establish an exclusive Muslim zone or "caliphate" in the region. It draws on primary sources, including local documentation, ground reports, and verified records from the HDCO.
According to the report, adult men comprised the vast majority of victims (93%), with individuals aged 18 and older accounting for 95% of cases. Arakanese (Rakhine) Buddhists were the most affected group, representing approximately 61% (137 deaths) of fatalities. Muslims (15%), Hindus (15%), Khumei (6%), Mro (2%), and Daingnet (2%) communities were also targeted.
The violence peaked in July 2024, with over 70 civilian casualties recorded in a single month amid intense fighting. The report attributes this spike to the Myanmar military junta's alleged collaboration with Islamist groups following the AA's advances, including the capture of Buthidaung in mid-May 2024 and Maungdaw town in late August 2024. It states that thousands of Islamist militants regrouped in Maungdaw, trapping hundreds of Arakanese civilians and targeting those who remained to protect homes and property.
The analysis identifies seven patterns of killings, including burning victims alive, shooting them in homes, ambushing on roads, and detaining during livelihood activities (such as collecting bamboo shoots or herding cattle). Thirteen documented mass killing incidents accounted for 48 deaths (about 30% of total killings), with detailed accounts of 13 specific cases from April 2024 to September 2025, often accompanied by victim photographs.
The report highlights Maungdaw Township as the primary site of atrocities due to its proximity to the Bangladesh border, refugee camps (alleged militant bases), and prolonged conflict intensity. It notes a sharp decline in incidents after the AA's capture of Maungdaw and key border posts (such as No. 5 Border Guard Police Force in late December 2025), dividing the period into a "more active" phase (November 2023–December 2024) and a "less active" phase (January 2025–January 2026).
The ULA highlights ARSA and allied groups (including RSO, ARA, and RIM) of operating as criminal networks involved in robbery, extortion, and harassment, while portraying their actions as motivated by genocidal rhetoric. It references former ARSA leader Ata Ullah's (arrested in Bangladesh in March 2025) past speeches inciting violence against Rakhine people.
The document contrasts this underreported violence against non-Muslim indigenous communities with greater international focus on Muslim (Rohingya) suffering. It calls for urgent scrutiny of these groups' actions to promote accountability and protection for all populations.
The AA/ULA has consolidated control over much of northern Rakhine, including the full Myanmar-Bangladesh border by late 2024/early 2025, amid broader Myanmar civil war dynamics.
The report underscores the complex, multi-sided nature of violence in the region, where civilians from various ethnic and religious backgrounds continue to face severe risks.
Download full report below.
