Arakan and The Terrorist Activites By Muslim Armed Groups

During the 124 years of British colonial rule from 1824 to 1948, the Muslim population in Arakan (Rakhine) State increased significantly due to the British recruitment of agricultural labor.

This demographic shift led to social tensions with the local Rakhine people and other minority ethnic groups, eventually triggering ethnically-motivated violence in 1942.

In addition, the Mujahideen movement, widely known for its extremist activities, lasted for over 20 years and posed a severe threat to the security of local inhabitants.

Since the 1990s, linked to global Islamic extremist networks, armed groups operating under the "Rohingya" label emerged within Arakan.

These include the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), and Rohingya Islami Mahaz (RIM).

These groups primarily operate along the Rakhine-Bangladesh border and frequently commit acts of terrorism against local civilians.

Following the 2021 military coup, these Muslim armed groups—which once fought against the Myanmar military—have now joined forces with the military to carry out targeted attacks against the Arakan Army (AA) and local civilians.

Terrorist Killings by Muslim Armed Groups

Since November 2023, when the revolutionary battles against the military dictatorship began, until January 2026, Muslim armed groups have terrorized and killed 162 local civilians and severely injured 22 others.

Furthermore, 30 civilians have gone missing due to abductions by these groups.

Muslim armed groups have primarily targeted elderly men; in 212 incidents, 93% of the victims—totaling 217 people—were men over the age of 18.

Women accounted for 7% (17 people), while children made up 5% (12 people) of those targeted by the violence.

Looking at the religious breakdown, Buddhists were the most affected, with 137 deaths accounting for 61%. Muslim fatalities stood at 35 people (15%), and Hindu fatalities reached 34 people (15%).

In addition, 13 Khumi, 6 Mro, and 4 Daingnet individuals were killed.

According to this data, Rakhine Buddhists suffer the highest number of casualties in northern Rakhine State, revealing that Rakhine Buddhists and anyone perceived to support the Arakkha Army (AA) are being specifically targeted.

However, the motives for targeting Muslim and Hindu civilians differ; Muslims are targeted and killed under accusations that those with moderate religious views are cooperating with the Arakkha Army.

Hindus, on the other hand, are targeted based on their religious identity; according to Amnesty International records, ARSA members committed a massacre of Hindu villagers in Kha Maung Seik village, Maungdaw Township, on August 25, 2017.

Furthermore, smaller ethnic groups such as the Mro and Khumi—who are non-Muslim and have limited capacity for self-defense or political recourse—are also frequently targeted for violence.

From November 2023 to January 2026, 13 mass killings of civilians by Muslim armed groups ARSA and RIM were documented in northern Rakhine, resulting in 48 civilian deaths.

Former ARSA leader Ataullah, currently detained by Bangladeshi authorities, has incited the removal of Rakhine people from Rakhine State, making their genocidal intent clear.

Groups such as the RSO, ARA, and RIM are also engaging in the kidnapping, looting, and violent killing of local merchants, fishermen, and farmers.

How the Myanmar military and Muslim armed groups collaborated in violence

In March 2024, the Arakkha Army (AA) took control of Rathedaung and launched the Buthidaung operation.

During this time, the Myanmar military, facing intense attacks, collaborated with Muslim armed groups by providing them with support and aid, as well as directing them to carry out acts of violence.

After the Arakan Army captured Buthidaung in May 2024, the Myanmar military further reinforced and supported Muslim armed groups in Maungdaw to pressure the AA.

Consequently, local civilians living in the town were killed by these Muslim armed groups.

On July 19, 2024, seven local Khumi men were also captured and killed by the ARSA armed group.

Following the Arakkha Army’s takeover of Maungdaw at the end of August 2024, violent activities by Muslim armed groups decreased.

The period from November 2023 to January 2026 can be divided into two phases based on the intensity of the conflict: the "High Activity Phase" (November 2023 to December 2024, totaling 14 months) and the "Low Activity Phase" (January 2025 to January 2026, totaling 13 months).

During the "High Activity Phase," battles were fierce, and cooperation between the Myanmar military and Muslim armed groups increased. In this context, the Arakan Army was able to capture Buthidaung in mid-May 2024 and Maungdaw in August 2024.

By December 2025, the Arakkha Army created a significant shift by capturing Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 (NaKaKha 5).

During the "Low Activity Phase," Muslim armed groups regrouped and managed to replenish their weapons from the military council via naval vessels in the Naf River.

Subsequently, these Muslim armed groups once again targeted local civilians and committed further acts of violence.

Source@HDCO Report