Myanmar says over 300,000 Rohingya eligible for return as crisis marks ninth year

Myanmar's military-led administration disclosed that it has confirmed more than 300,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladeshi camps as former inhabitants of western Rakhine state, stating they may be allowed to go back once security conditions permit. According to a foreign ministry statement, 426,545 of the 828,824 names on a Bangladesh-provided list were verified, with 308,797 classified as ex-Rakhine residents. The ministry noted that 113,507 people could not be verified and 4,241 were deemed involved in terrorist activities.

It reaffirmed a commitment to coordinate with Bangladesh for the return of verified nationals when the situation in Rakhine becomes safer, while disputing reports that more than one million were displaced. The 2018 two-year repatriation plan has stalled amid renewed fighting after the 2021 army takeover and intensified clashes with the Arakan Army, which now controls much of Rakhine. Poor camp conditions and reduced aid have also driven some Rohingya to attempt dangerous sea journeys to Malaysia and Indonesia.