Northern Maungdaw’s Rising Violence: A Regional Crisis Ignored

Oo Kyaw Thar, Contributing Author

Global Arakan Network November 3, 2025

A Celebration Event of ARSA Terrorists Inside Bangladesh

In recent months, northern Maungdaw in Arakan State has once again become a stage for mounting violence and instability. According to reports from local and regional media, at least 40 civilians have been killed and 17 others injured over the past six months in targeted attacks by Islamist militant groups, primarily the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). Among the dead are traders, women, and children — victims of deliberate assaults rather than collateral casualties of crossfire.

A statement issued by the Maungdaw District Muslim Affairs Council on October 25 reflected growing alarm:

“At a time when peace and stability in the region had improved, the militant and terrorist groups ARSA and RSO have been frequently abducting and murdering innocent civilians, thereby threatening regional stability and the rule of law.”

The Council’s statement also criticized certain international organizations, notably Fortify Rights, for “failing to recognize the voices of peaceful local communities” and instead amplifying “false narratives propagated by extremist militants.” This message captures the essence of a tragedy that has gone largely unnoticed — the ongoing terror in Maungdaw and the civilians trapped between competing political interests and militant agendas.

Roots of Renewed Violence

The escalation of violence in northern Maungdaw cannot be understood in isolation. It stems from a complex interplay of militancy, geopolitics, and neglect. The self-proclaimed Rohingya insurgents claim to be fighting for ethnic rights — yet their repeated attacks on unarmed civilians undermine that very claim.

Over the years, militant propaganda has adopted an increasingly religious tone, with extremist rhetoric spreading through local networks and social media. Children, too, have reportedly been subjected to indoctrination in refugee camps, deepening intercommunal mistrust and sowing the seeds of future violence.

Compounding the crisis is the alleged tacit support from Bangladeshi authorities. Multiple reports suggest that within the sprawling refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, militants have been able to recruit members, collect taxes, and organize armed training. These groups reportedly move freely across the porous border — attacking civilians in Maungdaw and retreating to Bangladeshi territory, where some receive medical treatment and shelter.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar military — long responsible for much of the region’s instability — cannot be absolved of blame. ARSA itself emerged as a byproduct of the military’s divide-and-rule strategy, designed to counter the Arakan Army (AA) by igniting ethnic and religious polarization in Arakan. During the 2024 offensives in Buthidaung and Maungdaw, ARSA forces were even reported to have coordinated with the Myanmar military against the AA.

Today, although the junta has lost control over much of northern Arakan, its naval forces still dominate the Bay of Bengal and reportedly continue to supply weapons and ammunition to ARSA. If verified, this would represent a shocking instance of state complicity in empowering militants who target Myanmar’s own civilians.

A Broader Regional Threat

The violence in Maungdaw is not merely a local tragedy — it represents a growing regional security threat. Bangladesh’s failure, or unwillingness, to prevent militant mobilization within its territory risks destabilizing the entire border region.

Unchecked, these activities will inevitably escalate: more kidnappings, more civilian deaths, and greater insecurity on both sides of the Naf River. Within Bangladesh, forced recruitment in refugee camps and intra-group violence are already being reported. Human trafficking and illicit drug smuggling — often intertwined with militant networks — further erode governance and stability in the borderlands.

By tolerating or indirectly supporting extremist factions, Dhaka risks undermining its own long-term security. Religious militancy is a double-edged sword — once unleashed, it rarely respects borders.

The Arakan Response: Strength Without Hatred

The silence of international human rights organizations on these atrocities has been striking. While the international community often speaks of universal human rights, its inattention to the suffering of Arakanese civilians raises uncomfortable questions about selective empathy.

Still, the Arakan response must be rooted in principle. Violence, regardless of who commits it, cannot be tolerated. The Arakan Army, which now administers most of Arakan State, bears a dual responsibility — to protect civilians and to uphold moral and legal standards while doing so.

Crucially, “the people” of Arakan include everyone: Rakhine Buddhists, Muslims, Mro, Thet, Dinet, and other minorities. Protecting civilians must mean protecting all of them — including Muslims who wish to live peacefully. Distinguishing between ordinary Muslims and armed extremists is essential to prevent the conflict from degenerating into another cycle of ethnic hatred.

Community leaders and social media users alike must refrain from spreading hate speech or collective blame. Instead, they should show compassion and solidarity toward innocent Muslim civilians who are also victims of this protracted conflict.

Ultimately, firm action against militants must go hand in hand with the protection of human rights and human dignity. Defending one community must never come at the expense of another’s survival. To defend Arakanese people is to defend truth, justice, and humanity — without hatred and without fear.