Clashes escalate between Arakan Army and Muslim armed groups in Maungdaw

By Admin 12 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 January 2026, Maungdaw

Clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and Muslim armed groups have intensified in recent days in northern Taungpyo Letwe Town and near border markers in Maungdaw Township along the Arakan State-Bangladesh border, according to local sources.

Fighting has escalated as Muslim armed groups launched ambushes on AA security outposts near the Bangladesh border, while the Arakan Army is reportedly conducting clearance operations in the area.

On January 11, clashes broke out on Kyee Island along the Maungdaw border. Further fighting was reported near Nanthartaung Village on the morning of January 12.

"This morning, we heard fighting near Nanthartaung Village and Kyee Island. The gunfire was loud, with heavy and small arms being used," said a local resident from the Maungdaw border area.

At around 6 a.m. on January 11, Muslim militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) reportedly opened fire with heavy and small arms from the Bangladeshi side at AA outposts on Kyee Island. The fighting intensified following a counterattack by the Arakan Army.

Local sources said the Muslim armed groups suffered heavy casualties and fled across the border into Bangladesh.

"The Muslim militants who fled are being arrested by the Bangladeshi authorities. We did not see any weapons among those arrested. I think they hid them somewhere before fleeing," said another local resident living near the Bangladesh border.

At least 50 of those who fled were reportedly detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), while others are said to be hiding in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

The simultaneous attacks by Muslim armed groups on the Arakan Army are being viewed by some local observers as coinciding with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing on the Myanmar military's genocide case, scheduled for January 12.

"The Muslim armed groups are divided and there are frequent shootings inside the refugee camps. It is believed they are joining forces to fight the Arakan Army to gain political advantage. If something goes wrong during the Arakan Army's counterattack, it could be used as a pretext," said a local man who has been closely monitoring the border situation.

The Arakan Army is continuing clearance operations in the area but has yet to issue an official statement on the fighting.

Military tensions remain high along the border as the Arakan Army conducts operations against Muslim militant hideouts along the Naf River and north of Taungpyo Letwe Town.