Border News Agency
Buthidaung, September 12
Local residents have reported that armed members of groups identified by them as Rohingya armed groups have been moving around near the Mayu Mountains in southern Buthidaung Township, an area controlled by the Arakan Army (AA).
Residents said that on September 9, armed members of these groups reportedly entered villages such as Wra Kyun and Doe Tan, located near the foot of the Mayu Mountains in southern Buthidaung Township.
The reports have raised concerns among local residents about the possibility of armed clashes in the area. Residents also said that the Arakan Army has been carrying out security operations against the armed groups.
“At first, we heard that around several dozen members of the ARSA group had entered the area. Later, we heard that hundreds of them were moving toward Doe Tan. The AA is now carrying out clearance operations in that area,” a man from Buthidaung Township told Border News Agency.
Doe Tan is a Muslim village located along the main road connecting Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships. The village has around 500 households.
Although the Arakan Army provides security along the road, local residents are reportedly afraid to use it. As a result, many residents are mainly using waterways for travel.
Residents also said that the Arakan Army reportedly seized some weapons and ammunition during security operations near the Mayu Mountains. However, the Arakan Army has not officially announced the seizure.
Local residents said they are increasingly concerned that armed groups are becoming more active around the Mayu Mountains and that their growing numbers could lead to more serious attacks and fighting.
“We heard that some people from Doe Tan village said they would help identify and report if armed people were hiding inside the village. We also heard that some weapons had been seized. Security operations are still taking place in that area,” a woman from Buthidaung Township told Border News Agency.
Residents also reported seeing members of the armed groups moving around west of the Mayu Mountains in Maungdaw District during the last week of August.
According to local residents, these armed groups are operating from areas near the Bangladesh border and are attempting to enter territories controlled by the Arakan Army through different routes.
Muslim community members also alleged that the groups have been infiltrating and increasing their strength along the Mayu mountain range, which stretches across Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung townships. They further claimed that the groups may be preparing to carry out attacks simultaneously in multiple locations using forces numbering in the thousands.
The claims in this report are based on accounts from local residents and community members. Border News Agency has not independently verified all of the reported movements or the alleged strength of the armed groups.
