AA taking action to curb ARSA infiltration, villagers say

By Admin 25 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
25 September 2023, Buthidaung

The Arakan Army (AA) has taken measures since August to prevent the infiltration of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) members into Muslim villages in Buthidaung Township, according to residents.

The AA has carried out checks in Muslim villages including Ywet Nyo Aung, U-Hla-Pe and Say Oh Kya after ARSA members reportedly appeared in those villages.

“ARSA has been mainly active in Say Oh Kya, U-Hla-Pe and Atwin Ngat The villages. AA has supporters in those villages. ARSA has killed AA supporters. So, AA troops are searching for [ARSA members],” said a Muslim resident of Say Oh Kya Village.

ARSA reportedly abducted a 60-year-old community elder of Meekyaung Kaungswe Village in Buthidaung Township on September 9, for allegedly being an AA informant. The Muslim man was found dead the following day.

The presence of ARSA has become increasingly noticeable since the end of August. On August 12, more than 20 ARSA members abducted two men from Sabelgon Village after torching their vehicle on the road between Laungdone and Kyeinchaung villages in northern Maungdaw.

Several ARSA members detained a Muslim from Ywet Nyo Taung village on September 21. When they subsequently encountered AA troops on their way, the ARSA members reportedly fled and left the abductee behind.

A resident of Ywet Nyo Taung Village, who asked for anonymity, said: “The AA did not come to our village before. They have only come this week, and asked villagers if ARSA troops have come to our village.”

The AA has urged villagers to steer clear of ARSA. Locals are on edge and fearful of their safety.

“ARSA troops were previously based in the Mayu mountains. Earlier this month, they killed a boatman from Meekyaung Kaungswe Village, accusing him of being an AA informant. They have recently appeared in Say Oh Kya and Ywet Nyo Taung villages. That’s why the AA has gone to those villages,” said a Buthidaung resident.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha.

The AA and ARSA clashed in Gutarpyin village-tract, Buthidaung Township, on July 18-19. Both sides suffered casualties.

ARSA came under spotlight following its coordinated attacks on more than 30 border guard police posts in Maungdaw in 2017. Over 700,000 Muslims fled into Bangladesh following the junta’s counter-insurgency operations.

Regime troops, the Arakan Army, ARSA, its rival Rohingya Solidarity Organization, and ARSA splinter groups are all active to varying degrees in Maungdaw on the border with Bangladesh.