The junta arrested 11 displaced people (IDPs) from Arakan State, who were sheltering in Ayeyarwady Region’s Yegyi Township for suspected links to the Arakan Army (AA).

The junta soldiers arrested the 11 Arakan IDPs, eight men and three women in Myauksan Village in Yegyi Township on 11 June 2025. Originally they were from Kyaukphyu and Gwa townships in Arakan State.

 A Yegyi Township resident said: “11 Arakan IDPs who were staying in Myauksan were arrested by troops from the junta's artillery battalion. They were accused of being informants for the AA. We believe the arrests were made based on tips from junta informers in the village.”

It is not believed that the arrested IDPs, who are currently being held at the Artillery Battalion 344 base in Myauksan Village, are in any way associated with the AA, but this has not yet been confirmed.

In the second week of June 2025 the AA and allied forces launched an offensive against the Artillery Battalion 344 base. Since then, the junta has become increasingly suspicious of and hostile towards IDPs from Arakan State sheltering in Ayeyarwady Region. This has led to a series of arrests.

An Arakan IDP in Yegyi Township said: “Arakan IDPs in Yegyi and Lemyethna townships are living under the junta’s constant suspicion and tight watch. We’re always afraid, we feel like we could be arrested at any moment.”

Due to fighting in Arakan State thousands of people have fled from Arakan State townships such as Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Thandwe, and Gwa, and sought shelter in neighbouring Ayeyarwady Region.

IDPs from Arakan State sheltering in Ayeyarwady Region are struggling to earn enough to survive, have to deal with constant security threats and are often inspected and arrested by the junta.