On December 31, the Arakan Army (AA) relocated 92 Muslim villagers who had been forced to leave their homes due to the danger posed by the terrorist group known as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

They were relocated to the secure shelter of Yay Dwin Pyin Village in Maungdaw Township, located on the western border of Rakhine State.

These Muslims came from the sparsely populated villages of Kyauk Chaung and Phatlake Pyin, where they had fled their homes because of concerns about ambushes, abductions, and murders perpetrated by the ARSA.

They had to walk for roughly three hours through the jungle to arrive at Yay Dwin Pyin Village, with the AA ensuring safety during the journey.

The two villages made up a total of 27 households, comprising 92 individuals, among whom were 16 children under the age of five and eight mothers who were breastfeeding.

A Muslim man who fled his home stated, “Our area is remote, and terrorist organizations seek refuge there. They come to our villages to steal cattle, buffaloes, and other livestock. They ambush individuals as they walk and occasionally appear out of nowhere to intimidate us. When these terrorists act in this way, we feel too unsafe to stay, which is why we are fleeing like this.”

Hami Ho-sang, another displaced individual from Kyauk Chaung village, expressed that he feels more secure when in larger groups. He also sought assistance from the AA in retrieving his remaining cattle.

The AA has promised to provide land for the families to cultivate, along with schools and health clinics. The AA is presently providing shelter and food and making efforts to meet the health, education, and basic needs of the displaced individuals.