Arakan News Agency
Arakan, Myanmar – Local residents in western Myanmar’s Arakan State have discovered human skulls and bones believed to belong to three Rohingya youths who were abducted by Arakan Army (AA) soldiers from a village in Northern Maungdaw Township over two months ago.
According to local sources, the remains were found on 25 February, 2025, in Kyar Kaung village, an area close to an Arakan Army camp. The victims were identified as Foyas (17 years old), son of Shom Shu; Yasin (15 years old), son of Ershad Ali; and Jani Alam (15 years old), son of Abu Ahmad.
The three young men were detained on December 17, 2024, from U Shin Kya village, northern Maungdaw. They had ventured into a nearby forest to hunt birds when they were forcibly abducted by AA soldiers. Their families, upon learning about their arrest, went to the AA camp the following day to inquire about their whereabouts. However, AA officials denied any knowledge of their detention.
Local reports indicate that the three youths were subjected to inhumane torture and execution before their bodies were buried in an attempt to hide the evidence. The discovery of their remains has confirmed that they were killed by the AA.
Residents strongly believe the remains belong to the missing youths, as they were the only individuals missing in the area within the period. The proximity of the discovery site to an AA camp further reinforces the suspicion of AA’s involvement in their deaths.
The Arakan Army has gained significant control over Arakan State, including Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung, where Rohingya communities face severe human rights violations. These include forced recruitment, arbitrary arrests, displacement, the burning of homes, and exclusion from returning processes. Since taking control of Maungdaw in December 2024, the AA has also imposed heavy taxation on Rohingya businesses, confiscated crops, land and livestock, seized vehicles, and implemented strict security measures, including the use of taking family photos for surveillance.
The Arakan Army launched a military campaign against Myanmar’s ruling forces in November 2023, leading to widespread conflict. Rohingya civilians have been caught in violence, facing forced displacement, persecution, and forced recruitment by both sides.
