AA puts greater emphasis on border security in Maungdaw

By Admin 20 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

20 August 2025, Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) is working to secure the border and stabilise the region between Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, and Bangladesh, according to locals.

The AA is placing greater emphasis on border security as Muslim armed groups have established camps along the northern Maungdaw and Bangladesh border, abducting and killing locals and ambushing AA troops.

The AA conducted a clearing operation in an area east of Bawdili Old Village, Maungdaw Township, on the morning of August 17.

A source familiar with the situation in the area said that two camps of the Muslim militant group Rohingya Islami Mahaz (RIM) were found in the area, along with weapons and ammunition.

"Muslims will join forces with the military regime to fight the AA on the ground. Rumours are circulating on the Bangladesh border that the military regime will attack the AA by sea, air, and land. The activities of Muslim militants have also become sporadic. It is known that the AA is also working hard to clear the area," the source said.

In the two camps, four sets of uniforms with RIM badges were found, as well as guns, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The Muslim armed group Rohingya Islami Mahaz is a member of the Four Brothers Alliance, which includes the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, Rohingya Solidarity Organisation and Arakan Rohingya Army.

Also on August 17, two Muslim armed men fled after being spotted by AA troops providing security west of Kyun Pauk Village. When the AA members inspected the two men's belongings, it was reported that they found two backpacks with UNICEF logos, as well as some weapons and ammunition.

Another border source said that clashes have been frequent between Muslim armed groups and the Arakan Army in northern Maungdaw Township since July 11.

"Clashes between AA and Muslim armed groups are frequent. Clashes can occur at any time. The intensity of the clashes depends on the confrontation," the border source added.

Locals say Muslim armed groups are moving into Arakan State through the Bangladesh border and are endangering local residents in the border area.

Experts on Bangladeshi affairs have warned that fighting between Muslim armed groups and the Arakan Army could intensify, with the potential for further consequences for Muslim civilians in Bangladesh and Arakan State.

"We are warning that these armed attacks are likely to escalate in the future. And what the implications could be for Bangladesh, for the Arakan Army, and especially for the Muslim civilians who remain in Arakan State. I think this is a situation that could have many consequences," Thomas Keane, an International Crisis Group (ICG) senior consultant on Myanmar and Bangladesh, told DMG in an interview last month.

The ICG warned in a June 18 report that several Muslim armed groups are recruiting new members in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, to fight the AA. The ICG report states that Muslim armed groups are cooperating with each other, and that this cooperation is supported by Bangladeshi agencies.

The Arakan Army seized control of the entire Maungdaw Township in December 2024 and is currently implementing border security and administrative activities.