AA-ARSA clash reported in Maungdaw Twsp

By Admin 27 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
27 December 2023, Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) clashed with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) at Ahtet Pyuema Village in northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, according to local people.

The skirmish lasted for about 20 minutes and casualties remain unknown, said residents of neighbouring Laungdon Village.

“The fighting broke out between AA and ARSA this morning. Everybody knows ARSA is active in the area,” said a local man from Laungdon Village, which is located about one mile from Ahtet Pyuema Village.

“We see ARSA members in the area,” echoed a Muslim from nearby Ngakhuya Village. “A village administrator was arrested by ARSA in recent days. The reason for the arrest remains unknown.”

U Aung Zaw Win, the administrator of Ngakhuya Village, went missing in November. His whereabouts remain unknown and family members say they have been unable to contact him.

ARSA is active in Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships, and in the Mayu mountains of the larger Maungdaw District, including along the border with Bangladesh. Apart from the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, Muslim armed organisations such as ARSA, the Rohingya Solidarity Organization and ARSA splinter groups are all known to be active in Maungdaw District.

In July, clashes erupted between AA and ARSA along the Mayu mountain range in Buthidaung Township.

Since November 13, however, armed conflict in Arakan State has been taking place between the AA and Myanmar’s military regime, with ARSA not coming into the picture until Wednesday.