Arakan Army Accused of Forcibly Conscripting Rohingya in Buthidaung Township

Photo: The Ayerwaddy

Arakan Now | 30 Jan 2026

Residents from four villages in Buthidaung Township—Ka Kyet Pet, BagoNar, Myaung Nar, and Ahlay Chaung—reported that the Arakan Army (AA) began forcing villagers early this morning to join military service. Under orders from the AA, village administrators moved through the communities and convened meetings with residents at the Al-Jamiatul Islamiyah Maarif-ul-Uloom in Ka Kyet Pet.

According to local sources, village administrators went around the villages shouting instructions that families must hand over their sons of “weapon-bearing age,” defined as boys aged 14 and above who are unmarried, to the Arakan Army for military service.

Residents said the Arakan Army threatened that if parents failed to hand over their sons, they would be taken through house-to-house searches. They further warned that parents would be tortured if their children were taken by force.

As today is Friday, villagers were told that an announcement would be made after the Jumuah prayer regarding which of those gathered would be taken for military service with the Arakan Army.

Administrators also stated that they would announce whether girls would be included in the recruitment.

Villagers have been closely monitoring the situation. As of the time of reporting, after the completion of the Jumuah prayer, no announcement has been made.

Arakan Now is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.