Border News Agency
Maungdaw, September 20.

On September 19, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government issued a notice urging residents living along the Arakan-Bangladesh border area to inform the authorities before traveling, due to the presence of forests, remote areas, and other emergency situations that could pose risks.

The statement also warned that, because of violent activities by Islamist extremist groups in the Arakan region, residents should avoid traveling alone or in small groups as much as possible when passing through forests or isolated areas.

Additionally, the statement urged that in cases of medical needs or other urgent matters requiring travel, residents should first notify the nearest administrative or security forces of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government before making any journey.

It was further stated that these Islamist extremist groups are exploiting the fact that the Arakan Army cannot yet fully ensure public security at all times, using rivers and jungle routes to infiltrate and operate inside Maungdaw District in the Arakan region.

The Islamist extremist groups that have infiltrated Maungdaw District through the border are reportedly attacking local residents in remote forests and sparsely populated areas while they are out foraging, gathering firewood, or traveling for trade.

Furthermore, in recent days, these groups have been continuously ambushing, abducting, and killing non-Muslim residents in the area.

Therefore, residents have been warned to be extremely cautious when traveling to border areas or forests, and to inform the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government before traveling for urgent matters.

According to locals in Maungdaw, Islamist extremist Rohingya armed militants operating along the Arakan-Bangladesh border recently abducted and killed five civilians.

Locals in Maungdaw said that, in addition to frequently abducting and killing civilians, these groups are also stealing livestock such as buffaloes, cows, and goats in large numbers.