Rohingya residents in Buthidaung, Arakan State, said they have begun fleeing their villages amid accusations that Arakan Buddhist militias, known as the Arakan Army(AA), have intensified forced recruitment campaigns targeting civilians, according to the Myanmar Muslim News Network. The developments have heightened fears of arrest and forced displacement.
According to local sources, members of the AA summoned village elders and leaders and ordered them to provide specific numbers of residents for military service. They warned that failure to meet the imposed quotas could result in the forced displacement of entire villages.
Residents of the villages of Ka Kyet Pet Kan Pyin, Bagonar, Myaungnar, and Ahlay Chaung said the militia demanded the recruitment of 25 people from each village, including 15 men and 10 young women over the age of 18.
They added that on February 1, village leaders were summoned again to be questioned about the number of recruits. They said Ka Kyet Pet village had been able to provide only five people, leading to increased threats and pressure.
As a result of these measures, residents said a large number of young men have begun avoiding sleeping in their homes at night for fear of arrest, while some families have started preparing to flee toward Bangladesh to escape forced recruitment.
Residents also said that the AA have imposed strict restrictions on movement between Buthidaung and Maungdaw, refusing to issue travel permits. The restrictions have brought civilian movement to an almost complete standstill.
According to local testimonies, the summonses have also included children aged 14 and above, accompanied by threats to conduct house-to-house searches and punish families if their sons refuse to comply with the orders.
Residents said these developments have created a growing climate of fear and insecurity in Buthidaung, amid warnings of worsening humanitarian conditions and continued civilian displacement as the renewed conflict in Arakan State persists.
