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The Economic Times
The Economic Times

Myanmar says 309,000 Rohingya eligible for return, cites Rakhine security

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.

Also Read: Fear and hate force Rohingya refugee schools to shut in Malaysia

Following are the latest ‌developments in ⁠the ⁠repatriation of Rohingya residents to Myanmar:

* Myanmar has verified 308,797 displaced ​people in Bangladesh as former Rakhine residents out of 828,824 names submitted ​as of July 31, 2026, the foreign ministry said in a statement over the weekend.

* According to ​the United Nations, more than ⁠700,000 Rohingya fled ‌to neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017 ​following a crackdown ​by Myanmar security forces, and many ⁠more are still leaving via uncertain sea and ​land journeys.

* Myanmar says it has identified ​4,241 people on Bangladesh's repatriation list as involved in terrorist activities, while another 113,507 could not be verified.

* Myanmar says repatriation will begin only when security conditions in Rakhine State become more stable.

Also Read: ED uncovers alleged FCRA-linked network aiding Rohingya, Bangladeshi infiltration

* ‌Myanmar's military is fighting the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group based in Rakhine ​that has ​sought greater autonomy for ⁠the region.

* Myanmar says repatriation is strictly a bilateral matter with Bangladesh.

* Myanmar says previous repatriation arrangements in ​2018 and 2019 resulted in no returnees despite bilateral preparations.

* Myanmar agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya asylum seekers from Malaysia, but Malaysia said the repatriation will not proceed if lives are at risk.

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