Two members of the Arakan Army (AA) have been arrested in Maungdaw Township after reportedly fleeing from Buthidaung Township with weapons, according to local residents.

Sources said that a group of 12 AA fighters had recently deserted from a camp in Buthidaung Township, taking arms with them. The group is believed to have moved toward Maungdaw, prompting the AA to launch a covert search operation across the Buthidaung–Maungdaw corridor.

The first arrest was made at approximately 12:30 a.m. on March 31 in Mingalargyi village, Maungdaw Township, where a Rohingya member of the AA was apprehended with a firearm during the operation.

Local sources identified the detainee as the son of a community figure known as Sayar Baser, described as a local jury leader.

According to initial reports, this individual was the first among the 12 escapees to be captured, while efforts to locate the remaining members continued.

Later in the day, at around 12:03 p.m., a second AA fighter—identified as an ethnic Rakhine—was arrested in Shwe Zar village, also in Maungdaw Township.

Residents said that AA intelligence units are currently conducting detailed interrogations of the detainees while expanding search operations to track down the remaining 10 fugitives.

The incident highlights growing internal security challenges within AA-controlled areas, as well as the group’s efforts to maintain discipline amid ongoing conflict dynamics in northern Rakhine State.

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