Arakan residents have confirmed that the Arakan Army (AA) is transporting timber, including teak logs, to Bangladesh from areas under its control.
According to port authorities, these logs are being exported daily from the port located in the Kanyin Chaung Special Economic Zone in Maungdaw Township, which is under the control of the Arakan Army.
Sources familiar with the timber industry state that the logs, including teak, are being extracted from forests in Maungdaw Township, as well as from areas such as Mayu Mountain. Additionally, timber is also being sourced from locations like Ma Ei and Taunggoke.
A responsible official from the Kanyin Chaung Port told Border News Agency, “Timber has been exported to Bangladesh from Kanyin Chaung Port for a long time. The exports include logs from Maungdaw as well as other areas. This is an officially permitted trade, and business owners are also allowed to export.”
In the final phase of the Arakan war, the Arakan Army (AA) has fully captured and taken control of Paletwa region, along with Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathetaung, Pauktaw, Kyaukphru, Mrauk-U, Minbra, Myaybon, Rambre, Thandwe, Taunggoke, Ann, and Gwa townships.
Within the territories under AA control, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Administration is being established, and reconstruction efforts are underway, according to Arakan residents.
On December 8 of last year, the Arakan Army launched a final offensive and completely seized control of Maungdaw Township, which houses key border trade ports along the Arakan-Bangladesh border.
Following the capture of Maungdaw Township, border trade between Arakan and Bangladesh has resumed based on mutual understanding between the two sides. As part of this trade, timber from the Arakan region is also being exported.
According to Arakan residents, the exported timber includes logs that were previously seized by the junta-controlled Forestry Department, as well as newly harvested timber.
A woman from Maungdaw told Border News Agency, “Timber is being harvested from Mayu Mountain Range and other areas. Previously seized logs are also included. Now, business owners are also engaging in timber production. To be honest, I don’t want more trees to be cut down.”
Residents of Arakan report that timber extraction is taking place across all areas under Arakan Army control. In some locations, excessive logging is allegedly being carried out by officials from the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government themselves.
A spokesperson for the Arakan Army (AA) has also admitted that there are currently no restrictions on timber production in areas under their control.
Environmental conservationists point out that since the Arakan region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government should establish policies on timber production and export, as well as officially announce a forestry protection law for public awareness.
An environmental conservationist told Border News Agency, “ULA/AA also suffered from Cyclone Mocha. Logging may be easy, but when a natural disaster strikes, how resilient will the region be? ULA/AA must officially issue a forestry protection law. Timber production should be regulated properly. If trees are cut and sold just for profit without control, it is ULA/AA that will ultimately bear the consequences.”
The Arakan Army (AA) has only three remaining townships left to capture Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and Manaung. Clashes between the two sides are currently escalating in Sittwe and Kyaukphru, according to Arakan residents.
The AA has already fully seized and taken control of the Arakan-Magway, Arakan-Bago, and Arakan-Ayeyarwady borders. Additionally, it has also completely captured and secured the Arakan-Bangladesh and Arakan-India borders.
Trade is continuing at the border regions, including the international borders, based on mutual understanding. While goods are being transported, Arakan residents report that there are still significant challenges, particularly in terms of basic necessities and transportation infrastructure.
Arakan residents have requested that the timber, including teak logs previously seized and held by the junta’s forces in areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), be used solely for reconstruction efforts in the Arakan region. They emphasized that this timber, which has been left unused and is worth thousands of tons, should be allocated for the rebuilding of the region.
