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AA Resettling Rakhine Families in Former Rohingya Villages in Buthidaung

  • Writer: Arakan Now
    Arakan Now
  • May 21
  • 1 min read

Arakan Now | 21 May 2025


The Arakan Army (AA) is reportedly moving ethnic Rakhine families into former Rohingya villages in Buthidaung Township. These areas were emptied after the forced removal of Rohingya residents.


According to Arakan Express News, dozens of Rakhine families from Sin Khaung Village in Thandwe Township, along with others who were displaced to the Settinpyin camp in Rathedaung, are now being resettled in Maung Gyi Taung village in Buthidaung.


“In Maung Gyi Taung, which was cleared of its original people, AA has moved in 135 Rakhine families from Thandwe and Rathedaung,” AEN reported.


Last week, another 80 Rakhine families were reportedly settled in Ta Min Chaung, also a former Rohingya village. AA plans to complete the resettlement of Rakhine families across Buthidaung within three months, according to reports.


Sources close to AA’s local offices told AEN that the AA is also preparing to bring Bengali-Rakhine families from Bangladesh to settle in these areas.


Shar Bazar village (also known as Maung Gyi Taung) has existed since before 1905—before Buthidaung town was established. The village had a mosque that was older than the town itself, but it has now been destroyed.


Before the 2017 military crackdown, Shar Bazar had over 1,000 Rohingya homes. About two-thirds of the villagers fled to Bangladesh during that time. The remaining residents were forced out between 2024 and 2025 under AA control, AEN reported.


Maung Gyi Taung villagers were among those who fled to Bangladesh during the recent AA military operations in Buthidaung.


According to AEN, AA forces have cleared and emptied over 30 Rohingya villages in Buthidaung Township since taking control of the area.


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