Rohingya families in northern Maungdaw Township say two of their cattle were allegedly seized by a group of armed Rakhine men while grazing near the former village of Kyaing Ta Pin (Dora Bil).
According to local residents, Rohingya families from Pon Zar, Hla Bo Zar, Kyaing Taw, Kyauk Hlaik Daung, and Mingalar Gyi villages have long used the grazing fields near Kyaing Ta Pin during the day. They typically take their cattle there in the morning and bring them home in the evening.
Residents said that on July 13, several men from Pyar Tha village, under Nwar Rone Taung village tract, allegedly entered the grazing area carrying sticks and knives. They reportedly seized two cattle belonging to Rohingya families—one bull and one cow.
“When we tried to stop them and asked them to return our cattle, they threatened us with sticks and knives. We were too afraid to do anything,” one Rohingya cattle owner told Rohingya Khobor.
Witnesses said several Rohingya children who were tending the cattle cried and pleaded with the men not to take the animals. However, the children were allegedly threatened and forced to flee.
“The children came back crying. They told us armed men had taken our cattle. By the time we reached the field, they were already gone,” another local resident told Rohingya Khobor.
Community members said they chose not to confront the armed group because they feared the situation could escalate into violence and place more people at risk.
“For us, cattle are not just animals. They are our savings, our livelihood, and our family’s future. Losing them is a heavy burden,” another Rohingya resident told Rohingya Khobor.
Residents said the loss of livestock is particularly devastating for Rohingya families, many of whom rely on cattle for farming, household income, and food while already facing severe humanitarian hardship.
Community members have called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident, protect civilians and their property, prevent further seizures, and take steps to reduce tensions and prevent further conflict in the area.
Kyaw Hla Aung was one of the most prominent Rohingya human rights defenders, lawyers, and political activists in modern Rohingya history. For decades, he dedicated his life to defending the rights, identity, dignity, and citizenship of the Rohingya people despite imprisonment, persecution, harassment, and systemic discrimination. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality earned him international recognition and the deep respect of Rohingya communities around the world.
Kyaw Hla Aung was born on 16 August 1940 in Sittwe, historically known as Akyab, in present-day Rakhine State during the British colonial period. His birth name was Muhammad Kasim. He came from a respected family; his father, U Yusuf, served for many years as Head Clerk in the state court system, while his mother was Daw Gul Badan. Growing up in an educated household shaped his early understanding of justice, public service, and the rule of law.
He completed his early education in Sittwe, where Rohingya Muslims at the time actively participated in social, educational, and administrative life. In 1960, he began working in Myanmar’s judicial system as a court clerk and stenographer. During his years in the courts, he witnessed increasing discrimination against Rohingya Muslims under successive military governments. These experiences inspired him to study law so that he could defend vulnerable communities through legal means.
After years of legal training, Kyaw Hla Aung qualified as a lawyer in 1982, a period when Myanmar’s political environment had become increasingly repressive, particularly toward ethnic and religious minorities. Rohingya communities faced growing restrictions on movement, education, citizenship, and land ownership. As a lawyer, he represented Rohingya farmers, families, and ordinary citizens facing land confiscation and other forms of state persecution.
In 1986, when authorities began confiscating Rohingya-owned land in Rakhine State, Kyaw Hla Aung represented affected farmers and filed legal appeals challenging the seizures. His efforts drew the attention of the authorities, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in Yangon. He spent nearly two years in prison because of his peaceful legal and political activities. Following the nationwide pro-democracy uprising in 1988, he was released and returned to Sittwe, where he resumed both his legal practice and human rights advocacy.
After his release, Kyaw Hla Aung became actively involved in Rohingya political participation and Myanmar’s broader pro-democracy movement. He co-founded the National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPHR), a Rohingya-led political party that advocated for democracy, equal rights, and citizenship recognition for the Rohingya.
Ahead of Myanmar’s 1990 general election, he was nominated as a parliamentary candidate. Before he could participate in the electoral process, however, military authorities arrested him again. He was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison, effectively preventing his participation in the country’s democratic transition.
His years in prison became one of the defining chapters of his life. Despite harsh conditions, repeated interrogations, and political repression, Kyaw Hla Aung remained committed to peaceful activism and the pursuit of justice through legal means. In total, he spent approximately twelve years behind bars because of his efforts to defend the rights of the Rohingya and challenge discriminatory government policies. Human rights organizations later recognized him as both a political prisoner and a prisoner of conscience.
Following his release under a government amnesty in 1997, Kyaw Hla Aung resumed his social and humanitarian work despite continued surveillance, restrictions, and repeated harassment by the authorities. He worked to improve access to education, healthcare, legal awareness, and humanitarian assistance for Rohingya communities across Rakhine State. He also collaborated with international humanitarian organizations supporting vulnerable and displaced populations in Myanmar.
As the Rohingya crisis gained greater international attention during the 2010s, Kyaw Hla Aung emerged as one of the community’s most respected voices. Through interviews with international media outlets and human rights organizations, he consistently spoke out against statelessness, discrimination, communal violence, and the systematic restrictions imposed on the Rohingya. He argued that the Rohingya are an indigenous community of Myanmar and repeatedly called for the restoration of their citizenship, equal rights, and human dignity.
The persecution of the Rohingya also profoundly affected his own life. During the violence in Rakhine State, his home was destroyed, forcing him to live in Thet Kae Pyin Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp near Sittwe alongside thousands of other displaced Rohingya. Even under extremely difficult conditions, he continued to organize humanitarian assistance and advocate for improved access to education and healthcare. His resilience and selflessness made him a symbol of hope for many within the Rohingya community.
In 2018, Kyaw Hla Aung was awarded the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity in recognition of his decades-long commitment to human rights and justice. The award honored his courage, humanitarian service, and peaceful advocacy on behalf of persecuted communities. Rather than keeping the financial award for himself, he directed it toward humanitarian initiatives benefiting Rohingya refugees, further strengthening his reputation as a leader dedicated to serving his people above personal interests.
His international recognition continued in 2019, when Fortune included him among the “World’s Greatest Leaders.” Human rights organizations, academics, journalists, and humanitarian groups widely regarded him as one of the most influential Rohingya advocates for justice, equality, and peaceful resistance.
Despite decades of imprisonment, displacement, and persecution, Kyaw Hla Aung never abandoned his commitment to nonviolence. Throughout his life, he promoted legal reform, education, peaceful coexistence, and democratic change rather than hatred or revenge. His speeches and interviews reflected both the deep suffering endured by the Rohingya people and his enduring belief that justice could ultimately be achieved through peaceful means.
Kyaw Hla Aung was married and had seven children. His family endured years of displacement, economic hardship, and political persecution because of his activism, yet they remained steadfast in supporting his lifelong struggle for justice and human dignity.
In his later years, deteriorating health required medical treatment outside Rakhine State. He eventually relocated to Yangon while continuing to follow developments affecting displaced Rohingya communities with deep concern. On 31 July 2021, Kyaw Hla Aung passed away in Botahtaung Township, Yangon. His death was widely mourned by Rohingya communities, human rights defenders, humanitarian organizations, and supporters around the world.
Today, Kyaw Hla Aung is remembered as one of the most influential Rohingya lawyers and human rights defenders of the modern era. His life continues to inspire Rohingya activists, scholars, community leaders, and younger generations who view his unwavering commitment to justice, peaceful resistance, and the rule of law as an enduring legacy. Across refugee camps and Rohingya diaspora communities worldwide, many continue to honor his memory and pray for him, remembering a man who devoted his life to defending the rights and dignity of his people.
Note: This biographical profile is based on publicly available sources, published research, archival materials, media reports, and consultations with prominent members of the Rohingya community familiar with Kyaw Hla Aung’s life and work.
Rohingya human rights activist Razia Sultana has called for independent investigations and greater accountability following the deadly landslide in Camp 5, Ukhiya, that killed five Rohingya refugees and injured eight others.
According to an official memorandum issued by the Camp-in-Charge (CiC) Office of Camp 5 on July 8, the landslide struck Block A-3 at approximately 2:10 p.m. Emergency responders brought the situation under control by around 5:30 p.m.
The CiC Office confirmed that five people lost their lives in the incident. They were identified as Rasheda, Omaicha Bibi, Umme Nazat, Umme Salma, and Shahida. The memorandum also said that eight injured people were receiving treatment at hospitals and primary health centres following the disaster.
In a statement released a day later, Razia Sultana said the tragedy was not solely the result of heavy rainfall but also reflected years of inadequate disaster risk management in the refugee camps.
She argued that the hillside had been identified as a high-risk area in United Nations hazard maps in 2019, yet measures such as slope stabilization, drainage improvements, and relocation of vulnerable structures were not fully implemented.
Razia Sultana said similar landslides have occurred almost every monsoon season since 2018, claiming they have killed more than 100 Rohingya refugees. She also alleged that despite repeated disasters, no senior officials have been held accountable and Rohingya refugees continue to have limited participation in decisions affecting camp management and disaster preparedness.
Her statement criticized camp authorities, United Nations agencies, international and national humanitarian organizations, donor governments, and site management agencies, arguing that preventable disasters have continued despite years of humanitarian operations. She also raised concerns about transparency in humanitarian funding and questioned whether available resources have been used effectively to reduce disaster risks.
The statement further referred to reports of financial mismanagement within the humanitarian response, saying they had raised broader concerns about accountability and the delivery of assistance to Rohingya communities.
While acknowledging UNHCR’s announcement that global fashion company Inditex will contribute €13 million between 2026 and 2028 to strengthen climate resilience and improve safety in the refugee camps, Razia Sultana argued that resilience projects alone are insufficient if known high-risk locations are not addressed before disasters occur.
She also criticized the Myanmar military, the Arakan Army (AA), ASEAN, the United Nations Security Council, Malaysia, and the wider international community, saying international efforts have failed to create conditions for the safe, voluntary, dignified, and rights-based return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
According to the statement, Rohingya refugees have remained largely excluded from major decisions affecting camp governance, disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian planning throughout nearly nine years of displacement.
Razia Sultana concluded by calling for independent investigations into preventable landslide deaths, accountability for failures to act on known hazard risks, greater Rohingya representation in camp governance, increased transparency in humanitarian funding, stronger disaster preparedness measures, and renewed international efforts to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified, and rights-based return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
A woman was seriously injured after a group of armed robbers broke into a Rohingya family’s shelter in Camp-12 in Ukhia during the early hours of Friday, according to local sources.
The incident occurred at around 3:45 a.m. on July 11 in Block J/16 of Camp-12.
The injured woman was identified as Misera Begum, daughter of Fazal Ahmed. Local sources said she was attacked with a sharp weapon during the robbery. She was taken to the MSF Hospital in Camp-17 for treatment, and her condition was reported to be critical.
According to camp residents, six to seven unidentified armed men forced their way into the shelter after breaking the door. They allegedly assaulted Misera Begum before taking approximately 10 bhori of gold jewelry and BDT 50,000 in cash.
The attackers reportedly fled the area before residents could intervene.
Camp residents expressed concern over what they described as a rise in security incidents and called on the authorities to strengthen security and identify those responsible.
The incident was reported to be under investigation.
A 19-year-old Rohingya man has been reported missing after leaving his home for Fajr prayer in Camp 3 of the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps.
The missing person has been identified as Sayed Karim, son of Nurul Islam, from Block D-7 of Camp 3.
According to his family, Sayed Karim left home early on June 6, 2026, to perform Fajr prayer but never returned. Despite searching for him, the family says they have been unable to obtain any information about his whereabouts.
The family has appealed to anyone who may have seen Sayed Karim or has reliable information about his location to contact them immediately.
Contact: 01892456643
The family continues to hope for his safe return and has urged community members to share any information that could help locate him.
A Rohingya child has been reported missing from Camp 8W in Cox’s Bazar, and his family is appealing to the community for help in locating him.
The missing child, Mohammed Yeaser, is the son of Noor Mohammed and lives in Camp 8W under Majhi Mohammed Elias. He is a student and has been missing since July 4, 2026.
According to his family, Mohammed Yeaser left home on July 4 and has not returned. Despite searching for him, they say they have not received any information about his whereabouts.
The family has urged anyone who has seen Mohammed Yeaser or has reliable information about him to contact them immediately.
Contact numbers:
The family continues to hope for Mohammed Yeaser’s safe return and has asked community members to share information that may help locate him.
The risk of river flooding and flash floods in northern Rakhine State is expected to increase over the next 48 hours, according to the latest flood forecast, with water levels in some areas projected to peak between July 10 and July 12.
According to the forecast, the upper monitoring point in northern Rakhine has reached the Extreme Alert (Purple) Level. The probability of river flow exceeding the highest level recorded during the past 20 years has increased to 47 percent, up from 35 percent in the previous forecast.
The forecast also indicates a 100 percent probability that river flow will exceed the two-year return level and around a 90 percent probability of exceeding the five-year return level, suggesting that water levels could rise well above normal.
Forecasters expect rivers in the upper parts of northern Rakhine to reach their highest levels around July 10, while rivers in central and lower areas, including those near Sittwe, could peak between July 11 and July 12.
If significant flooding occurs, floodwaters could remain in affected areas for 15 to 16 days. The forecast estimates that approximately 3,696 hectares of farmland and about 5,200 people could be directly affected.
Although the overall impact is currently assessed as low to medium, prolonged flooding could damage crops, disrupt transportation, and affect the daily lives of communities across northern Rakhine.
The forecast is based on projected river flows, and actual conditions may vary depending on rainfall, local terrain, and river channel conditions.
Residents, including Rohingya communities living in flood-prone areas, are advised to closely monitor weather and river updates and take precautionary measures as flood risks are expected to increase from July 10 onward.
A tragic family violence incident was reported in Camp 06 of the Rohingya refugee camps early Wednesday, leaving a mother and her young son dead and another child seriously injured.
According to preliminary information, the incident happened at around 1:20 a.m. in Camp 06, Block B, Sub-block B6, Majhi Amir Hossain, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
The alleged attacker has been identified as Ahetashamul Hoque, also known as Maung Then Naing, ran away after murdering, son of Mv Noor Ahmed, originally from Gerekkhali village.
The wife and son died on the spot after being attacked by Aheteashmul Hoque.
According to neighbors, Aheteashamul Hoque was known for criminal activities. They alleged that he had been involved in robberies and blackmailed people for money while traveling between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Some residents also claimed that he had previously told people he had killed several individuals for financial gain. Community members said he worked as a community teacher in 2021, teaching children in the camp.
Other local sources claimed that he had been in a relationship with another woman and occasionally used the online gambling platform 1xBet. They also said he worked as a daily wage laborer and had been facing financial difficulties. According to residents, these financial problems often led to domestic disputes and violence within his family.
The victims were identified as Sufiya, the suspect’s wife, and their youngest son, Kyaw Ming, who both died in the attack. Sufiya was the daughter of Mustak Ahmed and Nosima, originally from Saliparang village.
The couple’s elder son, known as Bappe, was also injured during the incident. He was taken to IRC Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Camp 06, later he was referred to Chittagong medical hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.
Local Majhi Amir Huson confirmed that the incident took place in Block B6. Community members said the tragedy has shocked residents across the camp.
The reason behind the alleged attack is still unknown. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident to determine what happened.
The incident has left the Rohingya community grieving, with many calling for a full investigation and support for the surviving child.
The Arakan Army (AA), which controls 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, is moving to rename several towns as part of its administrative reforms in areas under its control.
According to local sources and The Irrawaddy, Pauktaw is expected to be renamed Vīraṭṭhānī, meaning “Abode of the Brave,” while Minbya is expected to become Añjanapura, meaning “City of Añjana.” The proposed names are derived from places and traditions associated with the former Arakan Kingdom.
Sources also said additional towns, including some in Maungdaw and Sittwe districts, may be renamed in the future, although no official announcements have been made.
Residents in Pauktaw and Minbya said local youth groups, together with the United League of Arakan (ULA) and the Green Arakha project, have been planting trees along roads as part of preparations for the planned changes.
The AA has established its own administrative system across areas under its control, including departments responsible for education, health, justice, and local governance. It is also developing a new school curriculum in the Rakhine language. According to local sources, the Grade 12 curriculum has been completed and is expected to be introduced in the next academic year.
In 2025, the AA reorganized the 14 townships under its control in Rakhine State, along with Paletwa Township in Chin State, into eight administrative districts.
The reported renaming initiative reflects the AA’s broader efforts to institutionalize its administration and promote historical Rakhine place names in territories under its control.
The information is based on reporting by The Irrawaddy and local sources.
The American Muslim Vocational School has called on more Rohingya girls to apply for its one-year vocational training program after receiving more than 1,300 applications for only 210 available seats but comparatively fewer applications from female candidates.
Program organizers said they hope to see greater participation from girls interested in developing practical skills and preparing for future remote employment opportunities. They also encouraged families to support their daughters in pursuing education and vocational training.
The one-year program, based in Camp 1 East, offers professional ICT training alongside courses in English, Burmese, Mathematics, Rohingya Studies, and Deeniyat. According to the organizers, students will study in classrooms equipped with electricity and high-speed internet.
Organizers also said that top-performing graduates will receive free laptops as part of the program.
Applications for the program remain open, and the organizers have urged eligible Rohingya girls to apply and encouraged community members to share the opportunity with others who may benefit.
