Arakan Army Starts Replacing Rakhine, Hindu and Mro in Rohingya Villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships

Arakan Now, 24 April, 2025

In both Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships of Rakhine State, the Arakan Army has started replacing Rakhine Buddhist, Hindu, and Mro families in villages that were once owned by Rohingya, according to reports from the ground.

Replacement in Maungdaw Township

In Maungdaw Township, many Rakhine Buddhists, Hindus, Komi, and Mro have started coming from Bandarban, a small town in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh. These people have lived in Bandarban for decades. After the Arakan Army took control of parts of Arakan, they began moving into the region. The Arakan Army has started placing them in Rohingya villages.

During the 2017 Rohingya genocide by the Myanmar military, many Rohingya fled their homes. Their villages and houses were left empty. In mid-2024, more Rohingya fled due to oppression by the Arakan Army. The Arakan Army is now settling these new ethnic groups in those empty Rohingya villages and houses.

Replacement in Buthidaung Township

In Buthidaung, the Arakan Army has also started placing Rakhine Buddhists from rural areas into developed Rohingya villages. The original Rohingya residents were forced to move to nearby Rohingya villages, leaving their homes behind. After this, the Arakan Army began placing Rakhine Buddhists, Hindus, Komi, and Mro in the empty houses.

As Arakan Now reported earlier, the Arakan Army forced Rohingya villagers to leave, even when their villages were safe and undamaged. These people were then replaced by other ethnic groups in the Rohingya villages and houses.

After taking control of the parts of Arakan, the Arakan Army displaced many Rohingya villages, burned down the downtown area of Buthidaung, killed Rohingya civilians, and abducted and arrested many innocent Rohingya. They were accused of being part of other armed groups.