by Hafizur Rahman
Buthidaung, November 9, 2025 —
Fifty-two Rohingya prisoners detained by the Arakan Army (AA) were released from Buthidaung Prison on November 7, according to local sources.
After the AA took control of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships between February and December 2024, it reportedly detained more than 2,000 Rohingya civilians. Residents said the group also held Rohingyas who had already been imprisoned under Myanmar military authority.
A wife of one detainee said her husband had been missing for months. “I don’t know where my husband is. We have no news about him. Our family has been living with fear and sadness,” she said.
The release coincided with the birthday of AA/ULA leader General Tun Myat Naing. Locals said the timing appeared intended to mark the occasion. Among those freed, 17 were from Maungdaw and 35 from Buthidaung.
Before being released, the prisoners were taken to the Maungdaw Intelligence Office, photographed, and required to sign documents pledging not to flee to Bangladesh. For those without family members, local officials signed the forms on their behalf.
Several of the released individuals were from Maungdaw’s Ward-1, Kanyin Tan, Latha, and Ward-2. Families who came to collect them at Buthidaung Prison were not allowed to take them home. Instead, the released prisoners were moved to the “4-Mile Detention Camp,” where they remain in custody pending completion of official paperwork.
Residents said that in September, many Rohingya names appeared on a list for release, but only a small number were freed this time. Families of those still detained have urged the authorities to release the remaining Rohingya prisoners immediately.
