Episode: KPN 15-12-2025

AA Has Built Seven IDP Camps for Rohingya and Five New Rakhine Villages on Rohingya Land in Buthidaung – Investigation

Since October 2023, fighting between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships has caused widespread destruction and mass displacement. Thousands of civilians were killed, while many others were forced to flee their homes, either becoming internally displaced or crossing into Bangladesh and other areas.

Several villages, including large parts of Buthidaung town, were burned to ashes during the conflict. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh, more than 150,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh since the fighting escalated.

On 18 May 2024, the Arakan Army officially announced that Buthidaung Township had come under its complete control. In the months that followed, the AA began establishing IDP camps for displaced Rohingya and constructing new villages for Rakhine settlers on land previously occupied by Rohingya villages.

Investigation Findings

Arakan Now conducted an investigation into the establishment of IDP camps and the construction of new Rakhine villages in Buthidaung Township. The investigation found that:

The Arakan Army has constructed seven IDP camps designated for displaced Rohingya.

The Arakan Army has also built five new Rakhine villages on land previously belonging to Rohingya villages.

Seven IDP Camps for Rohingya

1. Myaung Nar Dali Ywar (မြောင်းနား ဒေလီရွာ)

The Arakan Army has constructed an IDP camp in Myaung Nar Dali Village, Buthidaung Township, housing more than 296 families with an estimated population of around 1,890 people. Residents of the camp are originally from Myaung Nar Upper Village and Bogannah Village Myaung Nar Kan.

According to local sources, the AA demolished their homes and forced residents to relocate to the IDP camp, despite the fact that no fighting had taken place in those villages.

2. Hnget Thay (ငှက်သေ)

The Arakan Army reportedly constructed an IDP camp in Hnget Thay village to accommodate the residents of Htan Shauk Kan. The camps consist of more than 135 housing units.

On 2 May 2024, Htan Shauk Kan Village, also known as Hoyasari, was burned down during operations by the Arakan Army. According to local sources, more than 600 residents, including children, women, and elderly people, were killed. A small number of survivors reportedly fled and took shelter in Sin Taung Village. Residents describe the Htan Shauk Kan incident as one of the deadliest attacks on Rohingya communities in Buthidaung Township.

3. Nan Yar Kone Village Tract – Hori Mora (နန်းရာကုန်းအုပ်စု)

The Arakan Army has constructed an IDP camp east of Nan Yar Kone Village Tract (Hori Mora) in Buthidaung Township. The camp houses around 210 families, with an estimated population of more than 1,100 people.

Most residents are originally from Da Phyu Chaung Village and other nearby villages. According to local sources, those villages were burned during the fighting, and residents have not been allowed to return to their original homes.

4. Hpaung Daw Pyin Village

An IDP camp has been constructed in Hpaung Daw Pyin Village, Buthidaung Township, housing more than 100 families. The residents are displaced Rohingya from several surrounding villages.

5. Mee Chaung Zay Village

The Arakan Army has built an IDP camp in Mee Chaung Zay Village, Buthidaung Township, housing more than 65 families. The residents are displaced Rohingya from multiple nearby villages.

6. Kyee Hnoke Thee Village

An IDP camp has been established in Kyee Hnoke Thee Village, Buthidaung Township, housing more than 85 families. The residents are displaced Rohingya from surrounding villages.

7. Nga Yant Chaung Village

The Arakan Army has constructed an IDP camp in Nga Yant Chaung Village, Buthidaung Township, housing more than 140 families. Residents are displaced Rohingya from various nearby villages.

Five New Rakhine Villages Built on Rohingya Land

1. Ywet Nyo Taung (Rongia Daung) / U Hla Hpay

A new Rakhine village with more than 90 households has been constructed between the Rohingya villages of Ywet Nyo Taung (Rongia Daung) and U Hla Hpay in Buthidaung Township. Farmland belonging to Rohingya who fled to Yangon, Bangladesh, and other areas has reportedly been seized and redistributed.

2. Nan Yar Kone / Pale Taung (Maung Nar Para)

A new Rakhine village with more than 100 households has been built on Rohingya land along the roadside between Nan Yar Kone and Pale Taung (Maung Nar Para).

3. Sin Oe Pyin Ywar Gyi (Saow Parang)

The Arakan Army has constructed a new Rakhine village with more than 100 households in Sin Oe Pyin Ywar Gyi (Saow Parang), a northern Rohingya village in Buthidaung Township. Farmland has reportedly been distributed as part of the settlement.

4. Thin Ga Net

A new Rakhine village with more than 80 households has been constructed in Thin Ga Net, a northern Rohingya village in Buthidaung Township. Farmland has reportedly been distributed as part of the settlement.

5. Yin Ma Kyauk Daung Village

The Arakan Army has constructed a new Rakhine village with more than 20 households in Yin Ma Kyauk Daung, a northern Rohingya village in Buthidaung Township. Farmland has reportedly been distributed as part of the settlement.

Local sources speaking to Arakan Now said that the Arakan Army has been expanding Rakhine settlements across Rohingya villages, with seized farmland allocated to new settlers. The sources added that Rakhine residents from other townships are being brought to the area to settle.

Arakan Now will continue to monitor developments in Buthidaung Township.

Remarks: This is a sensitive report. Any sharing, reproduction, or republication of this article, in whole or in part, must clearly and fully credit Arakan Now as the original source.

Tagged as: Rohingya,  war crimes,  Rohingya Refugee,  Camp schools,  Akyab,  Rohingya refugee camp,  community schools,  APBn,  RRRC,  foods shortage,  Balukhali,  Sittwe,  hungers,  Bangadesh refugee camp,  Teknaf,  ration cut,  BGP,  Burma-Bangladesh border,  Arakan,  RSO,  Buthidaung,  BGB,  Burma,  Malaysia going boat,  IDP camp in Arakan,  Arakan Army,  Myanmar,  Military navy,  Kutupalong,  Cox's Bazar,  Rohingya boat people,  Maungdaw,  Military Council force,  Rakhine,  IIMM,  Rathedaung,  ARSA.