Nineteen Rohingya Fishermen Still Held by Militant Arakan Army Coast Guard

Maungdaw, 19 October 2026 — Nineteen Rohingya fishermen from Shwe Zar village in Maungdaw Township remain in the custody of the militant Arakan Army coast guard.

They were arrested on 12 September while fishing on the Naf River.

The fishermen left early that morning after receiving permission from an AA base in the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone near Shwe Zar village. They set out on two motorboats around 5 a.m.

At about 9:30 a.m. the same day, militant AA coast guard members from Pyin Phyu camp stopped and detained them. The fishermen were first taken to Territory 6 and later moved to Zone 3.

The case has raised questions about coordination between different militant AA and ULA units. Sources said permission given by one unit was not accepted by another among the militant Arakan Army (AA).

The detained fishermen have not been able to contact their families since their detention on 12 September. Relatives remain distressed and without clear information about their condition.

As of 19 October there was no further confirmation about their wellbeing or the reasons for their continued detention.

The incident has increased concerns over the safety and freedom of movement of Rohingya fishermen on the Naf River. Families and local residents are calling for their immediate release.

The violent actions of the militant Arakan Army have increased since it took control of large parts of Arakan State. In recent years the AA has repeatedly abducted fishermen, including Bengali fishermen, from the Bangladesh side of the Naf River while they were fishing.

Attacks on the livelihoods of Rohingya villagers and neighbouring Bangladeshi communities have become frequent.

Rohingya Monitor continues to closely follow developments affecting Rohingya communities across Arakan State and the refugee camps in Bangladesh.

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