In northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, frequent clashes have erupted between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Arakan Army (AA) in recent days, with ARSA’s increasing military activities in the area leaving locals anxious about their safety.

Around 10:00 pm on September 6, fighting erupted between ARSA and AA in Yaetwinpyin and Kyaukchaung villages in northern Maungdaw Township.

“People heard gunshots for about half an hour, and the locals around Yaetwinpyin were really frightened,” a Maungdaw Township resident told DMG.

ARSA and several Muslim armed groups have set up camps along the Bangladesh border in northern Maungdaw Township, launching ambushes against the AA.

On the night of September 5, ARSA destroyed essential food supplies stored by local traders on Nantthartaung Bridge in Maungdaw Township and left booby traps as they retreated.

On August 22, ARSA attacked AA guard outposts in Nantthartaung and Lateya villages, as well as along the Bangladesh border, sparking fierce clashes.

Currently, with skirmishes between ARSA and AA possible at any moment, villagers in Nantthartaung, Lateya, Tharyarkone, Thinbawhla, and Kunthipin are too afraid to enter the forests, even to forage for vegetables or hunt.

“Lately, there have been frequent skirmishes in Maungdaw, mainly between AA and ARSA. Locals are often ambushed too, so everyone’s really worried and feels unsafe because of ARSA,” a woman from Maungdaw Township said.

On August 10, a man was fatally shot by ARSA troops in Chayartan Village, Maungdaw Township, while fishing in a stream.

On August 17, the AA troops carried out a security operation in Bawdali Village, Maungdaw Township, where they discovered two camps of the Rohingya Islamic Mahaaz (RIM) and seized ammunition.

“The AA has stepped up security along the border, but ARSA and the RSO (Rohingya Solidarity Organisation) often sneak in from Bangladesh at night and attack AA outposts. They also hide in the border jungles and often cause harm to local people. The AA is trying its best to keep everyone safe, but it’s still not enough,” a Maungdaw resident said.

Although the AA is currently focused on border security, it continues to struggle with frequent ARSA ambushes.

The AA took control of the entire Maungdaw Township in December 2024 and is now establishing border security, administrative, and law enforcement structures.