Rakhine State, also known as Arakan, has once again become a site of armed conflict, less than two years after the Myanmar military's brutal campaign against the Rohingya. That campaign led to the exodus of more than 750,000 people and was widely recognized as involving acts of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Today, over 500,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine State, scattered across villages where they frequently fall victim to the ongoing armed conflict between Arakanese rebel fighters and the Myanmar military. A similar situation persists in southern Chin State, where Chin civilians are trapped in combat zones.
The renewed violence began in January 2019 when the Arakan Army (AA) launched attacks on police stations, marking a new chapter in Myanmar's seemingly endless armed conflicts between ethnic rebel groups and the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military forces.
The Arakan Army, established in 2009, is an ethnically Rakhine, predominantly Buddhist armed group. It is part of the Northern Alliance, which includes Shan ethnic armed groups and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Until 2019, the AA was based in Laiza, the KIA headquarters in Kachin State near the Chinese border, where it trained and fought alongside the KIA against government forces. In 2019, as attacks escalated in Chin and Rakhine States, the AA shifted its focus to Rakhine, where it enjoys widespread popular support. With a force exceeding 20,000 soldiers, the AA was among the largest ethnic armed groups actively fighting Myanmar’s military before the February 2021 coup.
The conflict in Rakhine remains largely insulated from international scrutiny and media coverage. An unprecedented government-imposed internet blackout, in place since June 2019, has severely restricted the flow of information and hampered humanitarian assistance due to access and communication challenges. This tactic has been widely applied to other ethnic minorities and conflict zones, particularly after the military coup.
Amid escalating clashes between the AA and government forces and reports of military abuses against civilians, more than 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are scattered across the region. Concentrations of IDPs are found in townships such as Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Minbya, and Ponnagyun. With limited humanitarian access, poor conditions in displacement camps, and combat often occurring just kilometers away, both IDPs and the general population face a worsening humanitarian crisis. In early 2020, the conflict intensified significantly, with daily clashes, shelling, civilian casualties, and a sharp increase in displacement.
Two years after the military's campaign against the Rohingya, which led to accusations of genocide, an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 Rohingya remained in Rakhine, primarily concentrated around Sittwe and other central and southern townships. Their situation has deteriorated further due to severe restrictions on humanitarian aid and the outbreak of new ethnic conflicts in the region. International attention and aid efforts have predominantly focused on the Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh in 2017. Meanwhile, those who remained face movement restrictions that confine them to camps and nearby villages, leaving them increasingly vulnerable.
Rakhine State, also called Arakan, is again the theatre of armed conflict less than two years after the military's brutal campaign against the Rohingya, which led to the exodus of more than 750,000 people and accusations of genocide. More than 250,000 Rohingya are presently still in Rakhine State scattered in villages and are frequently caught and victim of the armed conflict between Arakanese rebel fighters and the Myanmar military. This time the renewed violence started when in January 2019, police stations were attacked by the Arakan Army (AA) and marked a new chapter in Myanmar's never-ending armed conflicts between ethnic rebel groups and Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military forces. The Arakan Army (AA), established in 2009, is an ethnic Rakhine, religiously Buddhist armed group. AA is part of the Northern Alliance together with Shan ethnic armed groups and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and was till 2019 based in Laiza, the headquarters of KIA, in Kachin along the Chinese border where it was training and fighting against government troops alongside KIA. When attacks started in Chin and Rakhine State in 2019, the gravity point of AA swifted from Kachin to Rakhine where they benefit of widespread popular support. With more than 20,000 soldiers, AA, is one of the largest ethnic armed group actively fighting the Myanmar military forces. The ongoing conflict in Rakhine has so far been tightly quarantined from the international community and journalists. An unprecedented government-imposed internet blackout since June 2019 has rendered available information rare and hampered humanitarian assistance due to access and communication restrictions. Amid escalating clashes between AA and the armed forces, and the alleged military abuses against the population, the number of civilian internally displaced persons (IDP) is more than 100,000 all over the region with concentrations in Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Minbya and Ponnagyun townships. With very limited humanitarian access, squalid camp conditions and the proximity of combat activities, often only few kilometres from the camps, the IDPs but also the general population gets more and more entangled in a very precarious situation with no solution in sight. During the first months of 2020 the conflict has substantially intensified with daily clashes, shelling, civilian casualties, and a more than doubling numbers of displaced persons. Largest IDP camp in Mrauk-Oo township. Nearly 3,000 Arakanese have sought refuge from 12 nearby vilages that are now on the frontline. Over 40,000 people have fled their villages in Rakhine since the armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp was set up in April 2019, water is only available from a pond. Thein Nyo, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced person and her child that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
The pond is the only source of water for the camp and its 3000 residents. The quality of water is causing high levels of diarrhea and a breeding ground for mosquito's, causing malaria and dengue fever. Thein Nyo IDP Camp in Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Thein Nyo is the largest IDP camp in Mrauk-Oo township. Nearly 3,000 Arakanese have sought refuge from 12 nearby vilages that are now on the frontline. Over 40,000 people have fled their villages in Rakhine since the armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp was set up in April 2019, water is only available from a pond. Thein Nyo, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Thein Nyo is the largest IDP camp in Mrauk-Oo township. Nearly 3,000 Arakanese have sought refuge from 12 nearby vilages that are now on the frontline. Over 40,000 people have fled their villages in Rakhine since the armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp was set up in April 2019, water is only available from a pond. Thein Nyo, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced persons that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby Temple. Ninety people live now on the compound of the Temple. Naressa Temple, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
An Arakanese family in their shelter. Thein Nyo is the largest IDP camp in Mrauk-Oo township. Nearly 3,000 Arakanese have sought refuge from 12 nearby vilages that are now on the frontline. Over 40,000 people have fled their villages in Rakhine since the armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp was set up in April 2019, water is only available from a pond. Thein Nyo, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from villages in Buthidaung township where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. Over 40,000 people have been forced to flee since beginning 2019 and are now surviving in a very precarious situation. Da Ma Re Monastery is used to host 200 displaced persons since April 2019. Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese displaced persons living in a Monastery with 300 other displaced persons from surrounding villages. Da Gyi Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, October 2019
IDP camp within a pagoda compound that hosts 190 displaced persons from 3 nearby villages that are now on the frontline. People came a first time in March 2019 and went back a week later to come back again in April 2019. Parabo Pagoda, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Thein Nyo IDP camp, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese displaced person living among 200 other IDP in a Pagoda since March 2019. Parabo Pagoda, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Aung Zaw Gyi Pagoda is used to host 150 displaced persons since April 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Mother and child displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. More than 10,000 people have been displaced by the conflict that re-started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Aung Zaw Gyi Pagoda is used to host 150 displaced persons since April 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Thein Nyo is the largest IDP camp in Mrauk-Oo township. Nearly 3,000 Arakanese have sought refuge from 12 nearby vilages that are now on the frontline. Over 40,000 people have fled their villages in Rakhine since the armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp was set up in April 2019, water is only available from a pond. Thein Nyo, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced persons from the Mro ethnic group and belonging to the Church of Christ (CoC) that fled from Ku Lay village in March 2019, the village is now used by the Arakan Army as an infiltration point and frequently under heavy attack by government troops. Eighty six people live now in Lim U Zaw IDP camp located on church land, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Remains of rocket-propelled grenade shown by internal displaced persons that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after being attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Parabo Pagoda is used to host nearly 200 displaced persons. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Eighty seven years old that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Monastery of Da Gyi used as an IDP camp for Arakanese displaced persons. Over 40,000 Arakanese have been displaced by an armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The ongoing fighting is only few Km away from where people have taken refuge. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State in Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Aung Zaw Gyi Pagoda is used to host 150 displaced persons since April 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Aung Zaw Gyi Pagoda is used to host 150 displaced persons since April 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
IDP camp within a pagoda compound that hosts 190 displaced persons from 3 nearby villages that are now on the frontline. People came a first time in March 2019 and went back a week later to come back again in April 2019. Parabo Pagoda, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, October 2019
Internal displaced persons that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced person that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced person that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese children at school. Over 450 displaced persons live on the compound of a Monastery and come from 13 surrounding villages that are on the frontline of the conflict between Arakan Army and government troops. Mya ta Zaung Monastery, Mrauk-Oo in Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced persons that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby Temple. Ninety people live now on the compound of the Temple. Naressa Temple, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced persons that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Internal displaced persons that fled from Baung Wheit village in April 2019 after the village was attcked by government forces with heavy artillery. Villagers sought refuge at a nearby monastery, only 2 Km from their village. More than 820 people live now on the compound of the monastery. Maut Thein Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Newly arrived persons displaced by the conflict between the Aralkan Army and government troops. Over 40,000 Arakanese have been displaced since begining 2019, most are hosted on religious sites and land. In this case the Monastery is renting extra land, usually paddy fields, to host more people. Mya Ta Zaung Monastery, Rakhine State in Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese child in the classroom of a camp for internal displaced persons. The conflict between the Arakan Army and government forces has displaced more than 40,000 people in Rakhine State since beginning 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo township, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Da Gyi Monastery used to host nearly 300 displaced persons. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Newly arrived persons displaced by the conflict between the Aralkan Army and government troops. Over 40,000 Arakanese have been displaced since begining 2019, most are hosted on religious sites and land. In this case the Monastery is renting extra land, usually paddy fields, to host more people. Mya Ta Zaung Monastery, Rakhine State in Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from villages in Buthidaung township where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. Over 40,000 people have been forced to flee since beginning 2019 and are now surviving in a very precarious situation. Da Ma Re Monastery is used to host 200 displaced persons since April 2019. Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Da Gyi Monastery used to host nearly 300 displaced persons. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, October 2019
