AA to step up security along the Arakan-Bangladesh border

By Admin 20 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

20 September 2025, Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) announced yesterday that it will strengthen security along the Arakan-Bangladesh border due to increased activities by Muslim armed groups, and urged local residents to notify the AA before traveling in border areas.

Currently, Muslim armed groups such as ARSA, RSO and ARA are reportedly active in certain parts of Maungdaw District, where the AA does not yet exercise full control. These groups are said to be infiltrating from bases inside Bangladesh via routes along the Naf River and the Mayu mountain range.

According to the AA, Muslim armed groups have in recent days targeted non-Muslim locals in remote areas and forests, ambushing them while foraging, collecting firewood, or traveling to markets-shooting, abducting, and even killing civilians.

A female resident of Maungdaw said: "When landslides block the roads, travel becomes very unsafe. Skirmishes break out frequently. People are sometimes killed. Even when it's urgent, many of us are now too afraid to travel. Traders don't dare to travel as much as before because of the fear of being attacked or killed."

In early September, four male traders and one woman from Taman Thar Village, Maungdaw Township, were reportedly killed by ARSA gunmen while traveling to Inchaung Village near the border.

The AA has advised that residents in border areas should avoid traveling alone or in small groups through forests and remote places. In cases of medical emergencies or unavoidable travel, people are urged to first inform ULA/AA administrative and security officials before setting out.

The AA added that these armed groups' activities are threatening the lives and livelihoods of local people in the Arakan-Bangladesh border area, making heightened vigilance and security measures essential.

A man monitoring the border situation said: "As civilians, we should follow the army's warning-travel in groups if necessary, and immediately report any suspicious activity involving armed groups. Village administrators also have a responsibility to put in place protective measures for their communities."

Although the AA has controlled all of Maungdaw Township since December 2024, armed groups continue to carry out abductions and killings of locals, as well as ambushes against AA troops, sparking frequent clashes.

The AA has said it is consistently working to maintain border security, local administration, and stability in Maungdaw Township, but acknowledged that some mountainous and remote border areas remain difficult to fully secure.