Escalating Atrocities Against Rohingya in Maungdaw

This report provides a detailed analysis of the ongoing atrocities against Rohingya civilians in western Myanmar, particularly in Maungdaw, Arakan State. It highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis as the Arakan Army (AA), a powerful ethnic armed group, advances towards the town, leading to significant casualties and displacements among the Rohingya population. The report draws from various sources, including local media outlets, activists, and eyewitness accounts, to present a comprehensive overview of the current situation.

The Rohingya community in western Myanmar has long endured systemic persecution, and the situation has recently deteriorated further with the resurgence of conflict in Arakan (Rakhine) State. As the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group, intensifies its military campaign to assert control over key territories, the town of Maungdaw, predominantly inhabited by Rohingya civilians, has become the latest battleground. This renewed violence has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, with reports emerging of mass killings, forced displacements, and the destruction of civilian property. The conflict in Maungdaw is not just a local issue; it reflects the broader complexities and sectarian tensions in Myanmar, where various armed groups, including the Myanmar military, exploit ethnic and religious divisions to further their agendas. This report aims to analyze the unfolding atrocities in Maungdaw, drawing on credible sources and firsthand accounts to shed light on the plight of the Rohingya, who once again find themselves caught in the crossfire of a brutal conflict.

The ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Arakan (Rakhine) State is deeply rooted in the region’s complex ethnic and political landscape. Central to this conflict is the Arakan Army (AA), the armed wing of the United League of Arakan, which has been fighting for greater autonomy and, ultimately, an independent Rakhine polity. The AA has gained significant traction in recent years, especially following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire with Myanmar’s military junta in November 2023.

Arakan State has long been a flashpoint for ethnic tensions, particularly involving the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority group that has faced systematic persecution and statelessness in Myanmar. The most notable instance of this persecution occurred in 2017 when the Myanmar military launched a brutal “clearance operation” that drove more than 740,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh, an act widely recognized as genocide. Since then, the Rohingya who remain in Myanmar, particularly in northern Arakan, have lived in precarious conditions, under constant threat from both state and non-state actors.

The Arakan Army’s rise has added a new layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in Arakan State. After the ceasefire with the junta ended, the AA rapidly expanded its influence, seizing control over vast swathes of territory. Today, the AA controls more than half of the state’s 17 townships and has turned its attention to strategic locations such as Maungdaw, a township near the border with Bangladesh that holds significant military and symbolic importance.

Maungdaw, along with its neighboring township Buthidaung, has a majority Rohingya population, making it a focal point of both the AA’s military campaign and the broader ethnic conflict in the region. The AA’s efforts to capture Maungdaw, following its successful takeover of Buthidaung in May 2024, have led to a severe escalation in violence, with Rohingya civilians bearing the brunt of the hostilities. The town’s strategic location near the Naf River, which forms the natural border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, further complicates the situation, as it becomes both a battleground and a potential escape route for those fleeing the violence.

The AA’s campaign in Arakan State is driven by its broader goal of establishing a Rakhine polity independent of Myanmar’s central government. However, this goal has often come at a heavy cost to the civilian population, particularly the Rohingya, who have found themselves trapped between the AA’s ambitions and the Myanmar military’s repressive tactics. As the conflict in Maungdaw unfolds, the Rohingya community once again faces a grave threat to their survival, raising urgent concerns about their safety and the need for international intervention.

The situation in Maungdaw, a predominantly Rohingya town in northern Arakan State, has rapidly deteriorated as the Arakan Army (AA) intensifies its military offensive. Over recent weeks, the AA has moved aggressively to consolidate its control over Maungdaw, leading to a surge in violence that has had a devastating impact on the local Rohingya population. Reports from various sources, including local media, activists, and eyewitnesses, paint a grim picture of escalating atrocities and a growing humanitarian crisis.

The AA’s military campaign in Maungdaw has led to widespread violence, with Rohingya civilians caught in the crossfire. Reports indicate that AA forces have engaged in heavy fighting with the Myanmar military, which still maintains a presence in parts of the town. As the AA has pushed forward, it has reportedly targeted Rohingya civilians, whom it accuses of collaborating with the military or Rohingya militant groups.

Prominent Rohingya activist Wai Wai Nu described the situation as having evolved into “a deadly catastrophe,” with numerous Rohingya civilians killed. Eyewitness accounts suggest that over a hundred Rohingya have been killed in recent days, with many more injured, as AA drone strikes and ground assaults intensified. The AA has also been accused of using drones to target boats carrying Rohingya civilians attempting to flee across the Naf River to Bangladesh, leading to further casualties.

As the violence escalated, the AA reportedly forced the Rohingya population out of downtown Maungdaw, pushing them toward the Naf River, which marks the border with Bangladesh. Thousands of Rohingya are now stranded along the river, with limited means of escape and dwindling resources. Local sources report that many have attempted to cross the river into Bangladesh, despite the dangers posed by AA attacks and the hazardous conditions on the water.

There have also been reports of the AA deliberately sinking boats carrying Rohingya civilians. On August 8th, a boat carrying 29 Rohingya civilians sank in the Naf River, resulting in at least 10 drownings. While the exact cause of the sinking remains unclear, the incident underscores the extreme risks faced by those trying to flee the violence.

While the AA has claimed control over much of Maungdaw, the situation on the ground remains fluid. The Myanmar military, though weakened, continues to resist in certain areas, leading to ongoing skirmishes and airstrikes. On August 2nd, The Irrawaddy reported that the AA was focusing its attacks on the last remaining junta battalion in Maungdaw, with heavy fighting reported in the town’s outskirts. By August 5th, reports indicated that AA forces had entered Maungdaw and were engaged in fierce gunfights with the military, further endangering the civilian population.

Amidst this chaos, the AA has not yet officially declared the full capture of Maungdaw, though it appears to be in de facto control of much of the town. The ongoing conflict has made it difficult to verify the exact situation, with casualty figures and the extent of the destruction varying between sources.

The humanitarian situation in Maungdaw is dire. The town’s Rohingya population, already vulnerable due to years of systemic persecution, now faces an unprecedented level of violence and displacement. Those who remain in the town are trapped between warring factions, while those who attempt to flee face deadly risks both on land and water.

Local reports indicate that over 200 Rohingya civilians have been killed, and more than 500 injured, during the AA’s assault on Maungdaw. The true extent of the crisis is likely even greater, as many casualties go unreported in the chaos. The sinking of boats and the continued fighting mean that the number of displaced and dead is expected to rise in the coming days.

The recent developments in Maungdaw are part of the AA’s broader strategy to consolidate its control over Rakhine State. The AA’s actions, including the alleged targeting of Rohingya civilians, are seen by some as part of a campaign to assert dominance in the region, often at the expense of the Rohingya community. The Myanmar military, meanwhile, has been accused of exploiting sectarian tensions to bolster its own position, collaborating with Rohingya militant groups to fight against the AA. This complex and volatile situation underscores the precarious position of the Rohingya, who are caught in a deadly struggle between powerful armed factions.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the situation in Maungdaw remains critical. The Rohingya population, already scarred by the genocidal campaign of 2017, now faces a new wave of violence and displacement. The need for urgent international intervention and humanitarian assistance is more pressing than ever, as the people of Maungdaw struggle to survive amidst the chaos of war.

The recent escalation of violence in Maungdaw has resulted in severe and tragic consequences for the Rohingya population. As the Arakan Army (AA) intensified its military offensive to seize control of the town, reports have surfaced of mass killings and large-scale displacement of Rohingya civilians, who have been caught in the crossfire of this brutal conflict.

Numerous reports from activists, journalists, and local sources indicate that the AA has engaged in systematic violence against the Rohingya in Maungdaw. The most alarming reports suggest that over 200 Rohingya civilians have been killed in the past few days alone, with some sources.

Rohingya Vision News