ULA plans to establish new village to bolster security and municipal affairs

By Admin 27 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

27 November 2025, Maungdaw

The United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army, is reportedly planning to establish a new village in the Maungdaw region, which borders Bangladesh, in an effort to enhance municipal administration and security.

Homeless people, the unemployed, those unable to return home for various reasons, and residents from across Arakan State can reportedly register to settle in the new village and take part in municipal affairs as they wish.

“We don’t know when construction of the new village will begin, but we are collecting the names of those who want to live there. Some have registered and some haven’t. We understand that those who have registered will be allowed to live in southern Maungdaw. We still don’t know when the village will be established,” said a local man from Rathedaung Township.

Those selected for the new village are expected to be provided with housing and farmland to support their livelihoods.

Locals in Maungdaw Township view the development plan positively, saying it could help reduce threats from Muslim armed groups.

“Since villages are far apart, if new villages are built along the roads, transportation will improve and concerns about the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organization will lessen,” said a resident from Buthidaung.

Residents of Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw have frequently been targeted and killed by ARSA while carrying out social, economic and business activities in the region.

Locals have suggested prioritising residential development along the routes from Angumaw Village in Rathedaung to Maungdaw Town, and from Maungdaw to Taungpyo Letwe on the Bangladesh border.

“Northern Maungdaw is more sparsely populated and villages are far apart. The roads are also difficult because they pass through forests and mountains. Therefore, the Arakkha People’s Government should create new villages and make existing ones more populated,” said a Maungdaw resident.

After the Arakan Army fully captured Maungdaw Township and the Bangladesh border in December 2024, it prioritised border issues, the rule of law and Muslim community affairs.