Woman killed, four injured in ARSA ambush in Maungdaw Twsp

07 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
7 October 2024, Maungdaw

A local woman was reportedly killed and four civilians were injured in an ambush by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) near Meetaik Village, part of Arakan State's Maungdaw Township, on Sunday evening.

A group of seven locals were attacked by ARSA members near Meetaik Village at around 4 p.m. on October 6 as they were returning from Taungpyo Town in northern Maungdaw Township after purchasing commodities.

"ARSA members ambushed civilians returning from Taungpyo town, killing one woman and wounding four others on October 6. Some of the injured are said to be in critical condition," said a local source.

The four injured civilians are receiving medical treatment at nearby clinics.

The deceased has been identified as Daw Hsan Hsan Oo, a 40-year-old woman from Aungmingalar Village in Maungdaw Township. The injured are Ko Oo Soe Naing, 27, Ma Ma Htay, 21, and U Nyi Chay, 42, from Aungmingalar Village, and U Tun Win Hlaing, 45, from Thayargon Village.

Residents said that ARSA forces are infiltrating the Mayu mountain range, areas along the border with Bangladesh, and the northern part of Maungdaw Township, and detaining and killing local residents frequently.

"ARSA is active along the Bangladesh border in northern Maungdaw Township. If the locals go from village to village, they should be aware of armed Muslim men. If locals encounter ARSA members, they will be killed," said a resident of Maungdaw.

Five people were killed and two others were severely injured after a civilian vehicle was ambushed by ARSA in northern Maungdaw Township on July 31.

There are frequent clashes as ARSA has attacked small security posts on the border with Bangladesh in northern Maungdaw that are controlled by the Arakkha Army (AA).

The AA has so far seized control of most areas in Maungdaw Township and the Arakanese ethnic armed group has launched an offensive against the military regime's Border Guard Force Battalion No. 5.