BUTHIDAUNG, RAKHINE STATE — Arakan Army Constructs Seven IDP Camps for Rohingya and Five New Rakhine Villages on Rohingya Land in Buthidaung Township
The Arakan Army (AA) has built seven internally displaced persons (IDP) camps for Rohingya populations and five new Rakhine villages on land previously inhabited by Rohingya in Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State. Local residents have verified the construction, confirming reports by wsnews24.
Since October 2023, intense fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships has led to widespread destruction and mass displacement. Thousands of civilians have died, while many others fled their homes, becoming internally displaced or crossing into Bangladesh and other regions. Large parts of Buthidaung town and surrounding villages were burned and destroyed during the conflict. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 150,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh as the violence escalated.
On May 18, 2024, the Arakan Army officially announced full control of Buthidaung Township. In the following months, the AA began constructing IDP camps for displaced Rohingya and new villages for Rakhine settlers on lands where Rohingya villages had previously existed.
Following an investigation into the area, WSNews24 confirmed the following:
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Seven IDP Camps for Rohingya:
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Myaung Nar Dali Ywar Village: Over 296 families (~1,890 people), primarily from Upper Myaung Nyar and Bagone Nyar Villages. Local residents stated that although no fighting occurred in these villages, their homes were destroyed, and they were forcibly relocated to the IDP camp.
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Hnget Thay Village: Resettlement camp for residents from Htan Shaut Kan Village with over 135 housing units. Htan Shaut Kan (also known as Hoyasari) was burned during AA operations on May 2, 2024, resulting in over 600 deaths, including children, women, and the elderly. Only a few survivors fled to Sint Taung Village.
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Nan Yar Kone Village Tract – Hori Mora: Housing ~210 families (~1,100 people), mainly from Dapu Chaung Village and nearby villages, which were destroyed during the conflict.
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Hpaung Taw Pyin Village: More than 100 families, displaced from nearby villages.
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Mee Chaung Zay Village: Over 65 families displaced from surrounding villages.
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Kyee Hnoke Thee Village: More than 85 families displaced from nearby areas.
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Nga Yant Chaung Village: Houses over 140 families displaced from multiple surrounding villages.
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Five New Rakhine Villages on Former Rohingya Land:
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Ywet Nyo Taung (Rongia Daung) / U Hla Hpay: A new village with over 90 Rakhine households, using farmland formerly owned by Rohingya who fled.
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Nan Yar Kone / Pale Taung (Maung Nar Para): A new Rakhine village with more than 100 households.
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Sin Oe Pyin Ywar Gyi (Saow Parang): Over 100 Rakhine households established on former Rohingya land.
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Thin Ga Net: A new Rakhine village with more than 80 households, farmland redistributed.
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Yin Ma Kyauk Daung Village : Over 20 Rakhine households, with farmland reallocated.
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Local residents told WSNews24 that the AA is expanding Rakhine settlements across former Rohingya villages, redistributing confiscated farmland, and resettling Rakhine families brought in from other townships.
This development highlights ongoing tensions in Buthidaung Township, with the displacement of Rohingya communities and the establishment of new settlements on land previously belonging to them.
WSNews24 will continue monitoring the situation in Buthidaung Township.
