In Rakhine State’s Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, the Arakan Army (AA) is reportedly forcibly conscripting Rohingya youths, including minors, as part of its military service, according to local sources.
The AA is reportedly going house to house and village to village, mobilizing individuals for military duties. While many Rohingya show little interest in participating, some who do serve in the AA are reportedly kept separate from the Rakhine troops under a distinct unit called the “AAP.”
In villages such as Ywat Nyo Taung and Myauk Ywa, the “AAP” unit houses Rohingya fighters in a separate facility. Houses marked with red papers are confiscated, while unmarked Rohingya homes are reportedly given to Rakhine residents. Locals also reported that two old pagodas in these villages were destroyed during the operations.
Movement restrictions are reportedly applied primarily to Rohingya residents, who are often barred from traveling without supporting documents. Some individuals attempting to go to Maungdaw for medical treatment have been stopped at AA checkpoints for various reasons.
Some local residents reported that the AA is forcibly conscripting all youths aged 14 to 35. Those who refuse to comply are being arrested. Locals also said that internal administration within the AA-controlled areas is disorganized, with upper and lower levels of authority not functioning in coordination.
