Two AA personnel killed while patrolling for illegal Bangladeshi fishing boats

By Admin 12 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

12 September 2025, Rathedaung

An officer and a soldier from the Arakan Army (AA) coast guard forces were killed while inspecting illegal fishing boats from Bangladesh in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State. The Arakan Army announced yesterday that about 80 Bangladeshi fishing boats had illegally entered Arakan waters near Koetankauk and Cheinkhlein Villages in Rathedaung Township on September 10.

The fishing boats were pursued by AA coast guard forces, who seized five boats and brought their crews ashore for questioning in the evening.

The Arakan Army said that terrorists in a boat disguised as fishermen killed an officer and a soldier from the AA coast guard forces and seized weapons before fleeing into Bangladeshi waters.

The Arakan Army said the incident was part of the larger issue of territorial encroachment by Bangladeshi fishing vessels. It said the killing of coastal security personnel and the seizure of weapons would be dealt with effectively.

The Arakan Army has increasingly found its forces involved in international incidents and delicate diplomacy regarding the problem of illegal fishing in Arakan waters.

Political analysts believe that the Arakan Army has taken on territorial control responsibilities in addition to military ones in Arakan State, and that it is necessary to delicately address long-standing regional issues.

"Arakan State is a region with a lot of problems and conflicts," noted political analyst Ko Pyae Sone. "There are decades-old conflicts in Arakan State. It is important to be careful when solving any problem. It is also related to the ethnic problem. While the Arakan Army is solving the 'Rohingya' issue, it is also necessary to have good relations with Bangladesh. I think the Arakan Army needs to be careful and handle the problem delicately."

Locals say that poachers caught in Arakan waters have been repeatedly arrested and released to Bangladeshi authorities out of mutual respect.

Analysts also say that this is concerning, as there are many Muslim armed groups inside Bangladesh that are fighting the Arakan Army.

"Who can say that there are no Muslim militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on those fishing boats? The fact that Bangladeshi fishermen attacked Arakan Army troops also raises suspicions of a Muslim militant group, and whether or not it is true will only be known after looking at the Arakan Army's statement," said a Maungdaw resident.

Some also caution that if relations become strained as a result of the killing of Arakan Army officers by Bangladeshi fishermen, the Arakan Army could face additional crises in Arakan State, where it is accused of committing human rights abuses against Muslims.

Political analyst Maung Tamar said it would be very dangerous if ARSA and Rohingya Solidarity Organization were to be armed and funded by Muslim countries and join forces with Myanmar's military regime to fight back against the Arakan Army.

"It is a big challenge for the Arakan Army. If the problem worsens, the situation could be very bad. There could be a resurgence of Muslim militants in Buthidaung and Maungdaw, fighting and more violent acts. I think it would be very dangerous if Muslim militants joined forces with the Burmese army," Maung Tamar said.

Analysts say the Arakan Army will have to be careful to prevent Muslim armed groups in Bangladesh from becoming too powerful.

Despite daily arrests and inspections by the Arakan Army of Bangladeshi fishermen who have entered Arakan waters, the daily encroachments continue.

The Arakan Army controls most of the townships in Arakan State and the entire border with Bangladesh and India, and is seeking to improve diplomatic relations with India and Bangladesh.