Arakan Army Collected Money from Rohingya Families, Bought Eid Cows for Poor and Took Credit

Since one week before Eid al-Adha, the Arakan Army (AA) collected money from rich and middle-class Rohingya families in several villages across Buthidaung Township.

Villagers said each capable family was forced to give between 50,000 and 100,000 kyats. The money was then used to buy cows for poor families to celebrate the Eid festival.

One villager from Buthidaung, whose identity is hidden for security reasons, told Arakan Now,

“In my village, they collected at least 50,000 kyats from each family who looked capable. We couldn’t refuse, it was necessary.”

He added, “Most families gave the money out of fear.”

A villager from a nearby village said, “There are over 280 households here, but only two cows were given.”

Though the Arakan Army didn’t officially announce the distribution, many Rakhine-backed media outlets shared photos and claimed that the AA provided cows and meat to poor Muslim families in Arakan on Eid day.

In several villages, the AA reportedly held meetings with locals to explain the process, according to Arakan Now reporters.