Whereabouts of Rohingya Youths Remain Unknown in Buthidaung After Abduction by Arakan Army

Arakan Now, 28 April 2025

The whereabouts of Rohingya youths abducted by the Arakan Army (AA) in Buthidaung Township remain unknown. AA claimed that these youths had links with ARSA, RSO and the Myanmar military.

Before the Arakan Army captured and took control of Buthidaung Township, the Myanmar military used Rohingya villagers in protests against the Arakan Army. The military forced the villagers to hold signs saying, “We don’t need Terrorist Arakan Army in Myanmar.”

The Myanmar military also used Rohingya villagers to burn houses belonging to Rakhine residents in Buthidaung Township. In addition, the military forcibly conscripted many Rohingya youths and sent them to the frontline to fight against the Arakan Army.

The innocent Rohingya villagers had no choice but to follow the orders given by both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army. When the Myanmar military lost control of Buthidaung Township, the Arakan Army detained hundreds of Rohingya youths. These youths were taken from different villages across the township, accused of being linked with the military, ARSA or RSO and fighting against AA.

At the beginning of 2025, the Arakan Army released a small number of these detainees, nearly 5%. But the remaining 95% are still in the hands of AA. Their current location is unknown. Families of the arrested youths have not had any contact with them.

One of those who were released spoke to Arakan Now: “We were tortured and persecuted inhumanely. They didn’t let us sleep, barely gave us any food, only a cup of rice without curry. I saw dead bodies lying inside the prison. Later their bodies were thrown onto trucks like garbage.”

Since the Arakan Army took control of Buthidaung Township, it has abducted many Rohingya youths, burned several Rohingya villages, tortured villagers, and conscripted youths, including some under 18 years old.