ARSA threatens to seize control of Arakan State

By Admin 30 Oct 2025

DMG Newsroom

30 October 2025, Maungdaw

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a Muslim militant group based along the Bangladesh border, has threatened to attack and seize Arakan State.

The threat was revealed on October 26 by ARSA leader Sheikh Burhan, who spoke at the group's ninth anniversary rally held on October 9.

"We must try. We must understand our revolution. The world is not helping us. Muslims in Arakan State must unite. We must unite Muslims in Arakan State. We must try each other. We will fight to win Arakan State," said Sheikh Burhan.

In a video released by ARSA, fighters armed with guns and wearing combat uniforms also declared that they would wage an armed struggle.

ARSA is reportedly building new training camps in and around the Ukhiya area of Bangladesh, which borders northern Maungdaw Township, according to border sources.

Arakanese politicians said the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) needs to remain vigilant, as ARSA members may be taking advantage of the current political and military crises in Arakan State to align their operations with the Myanmar military regime.

"Now, taking advantage of the political crisis, ARSA is increasingly seen as settling in Arakan State and trying to take over the entire country. This coincides with the ceasefire between the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army within the Three Brotherhood Alliance, while the military regime is attempting to retaliate against the Arakan Army. It also seems that the military regime and ARSA are trying to strike a balance between the two," said a political observer in Arakan State.

The military regime and ARSA have fought alongside each other against the Arakan Army in recent battles for control of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.

ARSA is currently carrying out ambushes and attacks on Arakan Army camps along the Bangladesh border, as well as attacks and killings of local residents in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung townships.

Some residents of villages in northern Maungdaw Township bordering Bangladesh are reportedly fleeing their homes out of fear for their safety due to ARSA threats.

"The ARSA insurgency in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships is making it even more difficult for locals to travel. Now that ARSA has said it will continue to fight, the Arakan Army needs to use force to deal with it effectively," said a local resident in Buthidaung.

According to locals, the Arakan Army is prioritising clearing operations in northern Maungdaw and has been establishing camps and conducting patrols along the Mayu Mountains to counter ARSA activities.

The Arakan Army has warned that Muslim armed groups are threatening the lives and property of civilians in the Arakan-Bangladesh border area. Residents have been advised to avoid travelling alone or in small groups in mountainous and remote areas. If travel is necessary, they are urged to report to the nearest ULA/AA administrative or security office.

ARSA abducted three locals, including a young woman herding cattle at the foot of the Mayu Mountains near Kin Chaung Village in Maungdaw Township on October 24; they remain missing.

Members of the Arakanese, Maramargyi, Mro, Daingnet, and Thet ethnic groups living in northern Maungdaw are reportedly being killed by ARSA.