Three Arakanese IDPs sheltering in Ayeyarwady sentenced to five years in prison over alleged AA links

By Admin 20 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

20 March 2026, Yekyi, Ayeyarwady Region

Myanmar’s military regime has sentenced three Arakanese internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yekyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region, to five years in prison each under the Counterterrorism Law over alleged links to the Arakan Army (AA), according to local residents.

The displaced persons were reportedly arrested in late December 2025 near Ngathainggyoung in Ayeyarwady Region. They were later charged under Section 52(a) of the Counterterrorism Law at the Yekyi Township Court and sentenced on March 17, a local man told DMG.

“They were displaced from Gwa. The military acted as the plaintiff in the Yekyi court and prosecuted them under the Counterterrorism Law, resulting in five-year sentences. They were simply in Ayeyarwady Region because they had fled the conflict,” the local resident said.

The sentenced individuals are IDPs from Gwa Township, aged between 25 and 30. DMG is still investigating their names and further details.

Locals said that more than 20 IDPs from Arakan State who sought refuge in Ayeyarwady Region were arrested and sentenced by the regime in 2024 and 2025 on similar allegations of Arakan Army affiliation.

In March and September 2025, the Yekyi court also sentenced nine other Arakanese IDPs under the Counterterrorism Law on charges of alleged links to the Arakan Army.

Clashes continue in Ayeyarwady Region between the military regime and revolutionary allied forces in Laymyethna, Thabaung, and Yekyi Townships, as the regime attempts to regain control of lost territory.

A source familiar with the situation said: “There is ongoing fighting in Ayeyarwady. There are daily engagements along the Pathein–Monywa road section in Laymyethna, the Thabaung–Magyizin road section in Thabaung, and around Artillery Battalion No. 344 in Yekyi. Battles erupt whenever the military launches columns. Despite their efforts to retake lost areas, they often face defeat and are forced to retreat.”

The Pathein–Monywa road section in Laymyethna Township is reportedly under the control of the Arakan Army and allied forces, while the revolutionary alliance also holds most areas along the Thabaung–Magyizin road section.

Although the Arakan Army has seized Taungup, Thandwe, and Gwa Townships in southern Arakan State, many IDPs remain in Ayeyarwady Region and are unable to return home due to ongoing insecurity and other challenges.