Rohingya Women Face Rising Sexual Violence Under Arakan Army, Report Says

A new report says Rohingya women and girls in northern Rakhine State are facing increasing sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and abuse under Arakan Army control amid worsening humanitarian conditions.

Photo Source: Nyunt Win/European Pressphoto Agency

Rakhine State, Myanmar, May 14 — Rohingya women and girls in northern Rakhine State are facing increasing levels of sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and coercion under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), according to a report released by the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK).

The report documents cases of rape, gang rape, threats of sexual violence, and abuse targeting Rohingya civilians amid worsening humanitarian conditions and ongoing displacement in the region.

According to the findings, Rohingya women and girls are reportedly subjected to violence during recruitment raids, arbitrary detention, and periods of incommunicado confinement in areas controlled by the Arakan Army.

The report comes as the Rohingya community continues to endure prolonged persecution nearly nine years after the 2017 military crackdown that forced more than 750,000 Rohingyas to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.

BROUK stated that Rohingya communities continue to face restrictions, insecurity, and denial of basic rights in Rakhine State. The organization also noted that more than 150,000 Rohingya have reportedly fled into Bangladesh since late 2023 amid escalating instability.

According to humanitarian agencies, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported dead or missing at sea in 2025 during dangerous maritime journeys across the Andaman Sea and surrounding waters.

BROUK President Tun Khin said the international community has failed to dismantle the system that enabled atrocities against the Rohingya population.

The Arakan Army, which controls large parts of western Myanmar, has not publicly responded to the report.