Over 80 Rohingya Abductees Freed to Mark Twan Myat Naing’s Birthday

Arakan Now | 9 November 2025

The Arakan Army (AA) has released 82 Rohingya who were previously abducted during clashes between the AA and Myanmar’s military junta. The group said the release was carried out to commemorate the birthday of its leader, Twan Myat Naing.

According to local sources, the freed individuals had been accused by the AA of having links with the military junta or other armed organizations. On November 7, they were handed over to representatives of the Rohingya Affairs Council and members of district-level judicial committees in Maungdaw District.

Since October 2023, thousands of Rohingya youths and elders have reportedly been abducted by the Arakan Army amid escalating conflict in Rakhine State. Many were allegedly held without trial, with some reportedly facing prison terms of more than 20 years.

A resident told Arakan Now that “the release has drawn cautious optimism among local communities, who see it as a rare gesture of goodwill. However, the AA must release all innocent Rohingya who remain in detention.”