Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 19 February 2025 

Clashes continue between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) close to Mee Taik village in northern Maungdaw Township, situated along the western border of Arakan State, which is controlled by the AA, as reported by local inhabitants. 

A resident from Mee Taik village informed Narinjara News, "The AA forces are carrying out a clearance operation at the border posts close to Mee Taik village. There was a confrontation with the ARSA militant organization. Yesterday, three support vehicles from the AA arrived. We could hear shooting every day leading up to the conflict. It has been approximately four days, yet we remain unaware of any injuries, fatalities, or arrests.“

Residents reported that clashes occurred between February 14 and February 18 when ARSA insurgents arrived in the vicinity of Mee Taik village.  

Residents report that the AA is presently carrying out a clearance operation near Mee Taik village. 

Narinjara News contacted AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha this evening to inquire about the current fighting, but so far, no reply has been received. 

Residents in Bandula, northern Maungdaw, have reported that various Muslim armed factions, such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), and Rohingya Islami Mahaaz (Arakan), have united to create a new entity and are performing military drills near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. 

A Bandula local remarked, "A fresh Muslim militia is undergoing specialized military training in Bangladesh. Daily, we hear gunfire training from Bandula at the northern part of Maungdaw.“

In reaction to the possible danger presented by these armed factions, the AA has enlisted militias from villages in northern Maungdaw and is offering them 45 days of military training to protect the area from potential assaults. 

Photo: AA seized ARSA rebel camps, weapons, and ammunition in the mountains northwest of Kha Yu Chaung (Muslim) village, Buthidaung Township, in October 2024. (Photo: AA Info Desk)