Maungdaw is a town in Rakhine State, in the western part of Myanmar (Burma). It is the administrative seat of Maungdaw Township and Maungdaw District. Bordering Bangladesh, Maungdaw is home to one of 2 official border trade posts with Bangladesh. Maungdaw is 16 mi west of Buthidaung. The two towns are separated by the Mayu Mountains and are connected by two tunnels built in 1918. The district around Maungdaw is home to a large Rohingya population.

History

In August 2024, the civilians trying to flee the town from violence related to the Myanmar civil war were attacked by a drone strike. The victims were predominantly Rohingya, and the number killed by the strike may total more than 150 or 200, with possibly 300 more injured. A number of local Rohingya activists blamed the Arakan Army for the strike, which the group denied, and blamed the government for.

Demographics

The majority of the populace, about 80%, are Rohingya people, while the remainder of the populace consists of other ethnic groups, including Rakhine, Bamar, Daingnet, and Mro.

Education

As of 2016, there are eight high schools, 10 middle schools, 16 post-primary schools and 125 primary schools.

Economy

The official border trade post with Bangladeshi town of Teknaf opened on 5 September 1995. In 2022, total trade volume at the border post stood at US$15.519 million.