by Hafizur Rahman, Maungdaw, Arakan, August 29, 2025
The Arakan Army (AA) has begun building a new military camp in northern Maungdaw Township by dismantling Rohingya homes for timber, according to local residents. The site is near Puin Phyu Chaung village, where families say they are being forced to provide labor or face heavy fines.
Homes Destroyed for Timber
Villagers reported that AA troops tore down Rohingya houses to collect wood for construction. One resident said:
“They came and tore down our houses, saying they needed wood for their camp. We had no choice but to watch our homes destroyed.”
Forced Labor and Fines
Local residents said the AA ordered every household in Puin Phyu Chaung to send one person to carry timber. Families unable to send a worker are being fined 50,000 kyats, a sum that many cannot afford.
“If we cannot send a person to work, they demand money from us. Poor families like ours are suffering the most,” one villager explained.
Condemnation of Abuses
Human rights groups have condemned the use of forced labor and the destruction of civilian homes as clear violations of international law and basic human rights. They urged global organizations to investigate the abuses and press the Arakan Army to immediately halt such practices.
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