Arakan Army Blocks Shwe Zar Village, Orders Rohingya Youths to Join Military Training
- Arakan Now
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Arakan Now | 7 January 2025
The Arakan Army blocked all entry and exit points of Shwe Zar village tract in Maungdaw Township today and held a meeting with local residents near Shwe Zar market, according to local sources.
A resident told Arakan Now that two weeks ago, the AA collected a list of 44 Rohingya youths from Zay Di Pyin hamlet in Shwe Zar village tract. During today’s meeting, the AA presented the list containing both males and females youths to villagers and handed it over to the village administration team.
The village administration team was instructed to gather all 44 listed individuals tomorrow, when the AA are expected to visit and communicate with them. For this group, 20 youths will reportedly be selected for the first batch of military training.
The residents further said that the AA informed villagers that 44 youths must eventually undergo military training. According to him, the AA also warned that those who refuse to join would be forced to leave the country.
Local residents said the situation has created fear and uncertainty among families in the area. Many people have already left from Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships due to the fear of forced conscription, and others continue to leave for the same reason.
