Arakan Army Seizes Phones with Bangladeshi SIM Cards in Buthidaung Township Today

Arakan Now | 15 October 2025

The Arakan Army (AA) today confiscated all phones using Bangladeshi SIM cards in the Nay Mray 4 area of Buthidaung Township, including the villages from Gudar Pyin (ဂူတာပြင်) to Kay Kyet Pet (ကကျက်ဘက်), according to local residents.

Villagers said they were called to a meeting earlier today, where AA members accused them of leaking information to the State Administration Council (SAC) and Rohingya armed groups.

“They told us, ‘We can’t trust you. You must hand over all phones with Bangladeshi SIMs. If we find you using any hidden or secondary phone, the consequences will be dangerous,’” one resident said.

Locals said there is no other functioning network in the area, and people have long relied on Bangladeshi SIM cards to communicate with their family members and relatives abroad. The confiscation has left many worried about losing contact with loved ones overseas.