Rohingya Houses and a Store, Burned Down in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State – On November 13, 2024, intense fighting erupted between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Military in downtown Maungdaw near Battalion 05, the last stronghold of the Military Council in the township. The clash resulted in significant destruction, with over 100 Arakan Army members killed and more than 30 Rohingya houses, including a store belonging to the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), destroyed in the crossfire.

The violence began around 3 a.m. when the Arakan Army launched an offensive from positions in Zulla and Kayin Den hamlets of Myo Oo Ward. Eyewitnesses reported that the Arakan Army used small arms, machine guns, RPGs, and snipers in their assault on Battalion 05. The Myanmar Military responded with heavy bombardment, deploying two jet fighters and a Y-12 aircraft.

“The Myanmar military targeted areas where the Arakan Army had positioned themselves, including the CFSI store and surrounding residential areas,” stated a source. “Six airstrikes were carried out by jet fighters, and a Y-12 aircraft conducted one additional strike. The bombardment completely destroyed the CFSI store and over 30 Rohingya homes, reducing many to ashes.”

The majority of the destroyed houses were in Zulla and Tha See villages.

An eyewitness confirmed, “The Arakan Army had taken positions inside civilian homes and other structures in Zulla and Kayin Den. The Myanmar military bombardment targeted these areas, causing extensive destruction to civilian properties.”

In addition to the destruction of homes, the fighting resulted in severe losses for the Arakan Army. According to reports, over 100 of their members were killed, several were injured, and their outposts were destroyed, forcing the group to retreat.

The incident has left many Rohingya families homeless, compounding the hardships faced by the community in the conflict-ridden region.

Rohingya Vision News