Once Homes, Now Ashes: Arakan Army Burns Rohingya Villages, Blocks Returning to Villages

Arakan Now, 23 April 2025

From mid-2024 to early 2025, the Arakan Army burned down several Rohingya villages in Buthidaung Township after taking full control of the area. These villages were not burned during earlier battles between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military, but were later burned by the Arakan Army themselves. The affected villages include Da Phyu Chaung, Tan Chaun Kan, Thayakun Manu, Kwan Daing Ywa Gyi and Ywa Nyo Taung of Buthidaung township.

Thousands of Rohingya residents were forced to flee their homes. Most of them took shelter in nearby villages. In recent months, the Arakan Army held several meetings with these displaced villagers and made it clear that they will never be allowed to return to their original homes. Instead, they were ordered to resettle in other villages like Maungnama Phlay Taung, Nanya Khone, and San Yan Wai.

Many villagers pleaded to return to their homes, but their requests were denied. Now their homes are ashes, and their future remains uncertain.

After the Arakan Army defeated the Myanmar military in Buthidaung, they began to take full control of the area. Since then, many Rohingya villages have been burned. The Arakan Army has killed and injured many civilians, accusing them of having links to armed groups or the Myanmar military. They have also forcibly conscripted young Rohingya men and carried out arrests and threats.

These actions have left thousands of Rohingya displaced, homeless, and living in fear.