January 11, 2026
The Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) expresses its deepest condolences to the family of a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl tragically killed by gunfire from Myanmar’s Arakan Army along the border. ARNO strongly condemns this heinous act by the Arakan Army, which occurred during the group’s armed assault on a Rohingya in the Totar Dwip (Total Dip) area near the Myanmar-Bangladesh frontier.
According to local reports, heavy fighting erupted opposite Teknaf’s Whykong union as the Arakan Army clashed with a Rohingya armed group, with continuous gunfire and explosions reverberating from late Friday night until Saturday morning. During this conflict, Arakan Army fire crossed into Bangladeshi territory, killing the 12-year-old child as she was outside her home and injuring at least one other Bangladeshi civilian. This violent spillover represents a gross violation of Bangladesh’s sovereignty and the safety of innocent lives.
ARNO is also alarmed by reports that Rohingya civilians caught in the fighting have been forced to flee into Bangladesh. Amid the clashes, dozens of Rohingya refugees crossed the border seeking safety from the Arakan Army’s onslaught. Bangladesh authorities confirm that around 50 Rohingya have recently been taken into custody after escaping the violence, underscoring the growing humanitarian fallout.
In the wake of this tragedy, ARNO calls for urgent and concrete actions to prevent further loss of civilian life. ARNO urges the Government of Bangladesh to bolster border security and necessary measures to safeguard those living in frontier areas, noting that no civilian Bangladeshi or Rohingya should live in fear of stray bullets or cross-border attacks.
ARNO appeals to the international community and humanitarian organizations to step forward with increased support. Border communities in Cox’s Bazar and newly arrived Rohingya refugees require urgent assistance, including medical aid for the injured, trauma counseling, and shelter for those displaced. ARNO calls on the United Nations and regional partners to provide humanitarian relief and to press for the protection of civilians in this conflict. The horrific death of an innocent child and the terror inflicted on families must serve as a wake-up call stronger international action is needed now to ensure the safety and dignity of all civilians on both sides of the border.
For more information, please contact:
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)
Email: arno@rohingya.org | info@rohingya.org