Myanmar confirms nearly 309,000 Rohingya in Bangladesh, says security issues delaying repatriation
Myanmar’s military-backed government has verified that nearly 309,000 displaced people in camps in Bangladesh are former residents of the troubled Rakhine State, but repatriation will proceed only after security in Rakhine improves, the foreign ministry said. Following are the latest developments in the repatriation of Rohingya residents to Myanmar: Myanmar has verified 308,797 displaced people…
Myanmar's military-backed government has confirmed that nearly 309,000 displaced individuals in Bangladesh are former residents of Rakhine State. However, the repatriation process will only resume once security conditions in Rakhine improve, according to the foreign ministry. Of the 828,824 names submitted for repatriation as of July 31, 2026, Myanmar has verified 308,797 individuals previously living in Rakhine.
The United Nations reports that over 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2017 following a crackdown by Myanmar security forces, with many more leaving via perilous sea and land routes. Myanmar claims to have identified 4,241 people on Bangladesh's repatriation list as involved in terrorist activities, while another 113,507 could not be verified.
The ASEAN envoy has met with opposition groups in Thailand regarding the repatriation process. Myanmar's military is engaged in conflict with the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group in Rakhine seeking greater autonomy. Myanmar asserts that repatriation is a bilateral issue between the two nations. Past repatriation efforts in 2018 and 2019 yielded no returnees despite bilateral preparations.
Myanmar previously agreed to accept 5,000 Rohingya asylum seekers from Malaysia, but the repatriation plans hinged on ensuring the safety of the individuals involved.
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