ARSA activities heighten security fears across northern Arakan

By Admin 05 Nov 2026

DMG Newsroom

5 November 2026, Maungdaw

Movements by fighters from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) have been reported in recent days along the Mayu Mountain Range, which stretches across Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships in northern Arakan State, areas under Arakan Army control.

Local residents reported frequent sightings of ARSA members infiltrating areas near Nyaungchaung, Maungtar and Udaung villages in Buthidaung Township, as well as other locations along the Mayu Mountain Range.

The reported presence of the armed group has caused serious anxiety among residents of Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships who rely on the forests for firewood, foraging and their daily livelihoods. Many are now afraid to venture into the hills.

"If something happens, it will be disastrous," a female resident of Rathedaung Township told DMG. "People do not dare venture deep into the mountains even to collect firewood or forage, except in areas very close to the villages. ARSA activity in the Mayu Mountain Range is almost constant. Normally, this season is the peak time for collecting firewood, yet almost no one is going up the mountains."

Arakan Army forces are currently tracking ARSA elements and conducting clearance operations, while urging the public to remain vigilant and take heightened security precautions.

Due to the ARSA threat, villages in Rathedaung Township have established local security watches, and residents entering forest areas have been advised to travel in groups and remain cautious.

"We have been warned recently not to go up the mountains," a male resident of Buthidaung Township said. "If people must go, they are advised to travel in groups and remain vigilant. However, out of sheer necessity for food and livelihood, some people still go."

Local sources confirmed that the Arakan Army has issued advisories prohibiting residents of several villages in Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships from entering deeper sections of the Mayu Mountain Range.

Last month, local residents reported hearing gunfire and clashes in areas along the Mayu Mountain Range near the boundary between Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships.

The Mayu Mountain Range, which runs alongside the Bangladesh border in western Arakan State, has four major mountain passes connecting eastern and western areas: the Buthidaung–Maungdaw Road; the Cedipyin–Maungdaw–Kyaukpandu–Inndin Pass; the Maungdaw–Kyeinchaung–Buthidaung–Gotepitaung Pass; and the Buthidaung–Nyaungchaung–Maungdaw–Udaung Pass.

Local residents said that, except for the main Buthidaung–Maungdaw Road, the other mountain passes carry significant risks of ARSA ambushes.

"ARSA targets civilians, which makes the situation even more alarming," a Maungdaw resident said. "They launch roadside ambushes from the bushes, abduct people and extort money. Therefore, anyone traveling along the mountain passes across the Mayu Mountain Range must exercise extreme caution."

Local sources reported that the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government (APRG) has imposed nighttime curfews and tightened security measures across Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.

Armed groups, including ARSA and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), allied with the military junta and fought against the Arakan Army during the battle for control of Maungdaw before retreating into refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Taking advantage of the ongoing intense fighting between the military junta and the Arakan Army in Sittwe, ARSA fighters have reportedly renewed their movements along the Mayu Mountain Range near the Bangladesh–Arakan border in recent days.