Five civilians killed by ARSA in Maungdaw Twsp, locals say

By Admin 19 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

19 September 2025, Maungdaw

Five vendors from Tamanthar Village in northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, were reportedly killed by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) while on their way to neighbouring Innchaung Village on the border with Bangladesh.

U Maung Maung Hlaing, U Maung Aye Hlaing, and Daw Aye Sandar Nwe from Tamanthar Village went to Innchaung Village on the Bangladesh border to sell some goods in early August. When the three did not return, U Maung Kyan Thein and U Maung Soe Hlaing from Tamanthar Village went looking for them on September 9, but all five are now considered dead, according to a local source.

"The village they went to is located on the border. People from here go to the Bangladesh border to buy and sell goods. They were killed when they were confronted by ARSA on the road. I learned about this from an acquaintance on the Bangladesh border," said the local source.

Tamanthar and Innchaung villages are located about 10 miles apart, and the road between is surrounded by dense jungle that is considered a known hiding place for ARSA members, according to locals.

"These are the areas along the Bangladesh border where ARSA is hiding. And when I asked friends in Innchaung Village and Bangladesh, they said that five of them were killed," another source said.

In northern Maungdaw, ARSA frequently ambushes Arakan Army (AA) members and civilian traders, resulting in casualties and local residents are currently worried about their safety.

"It is not comfortable to travel alone here. Even if you go in a group, you are worried about the danger from ARSA. The dense forests and mountains mean that people are often ambushed by ARSA," said a local resident.

On August 10, a local from Chayartan Village, Maungdaw Township, was fishing near the Gawduthara Creek Bridge west of the village when about 10 ARSA soldiers from Du Nyaungbingyi Village emerged with weapons and shot and killed him as he fled in fear.

Although the Arakan Army has taken control of Maungdaw Township and says it is focusing on border security, ARSA and other Muslim armed groups have been attacking local residents and frequently clash with the AA.

The Arakan Army seized control of the entire Maungdaw Township in December 2024 and is currently implementing border security, administration, and law and order operations.