By: Camp Correspondent
Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State – March 10, 2025
The humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya population in Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, has worsened as the Arakan Army (AA) imposes stricter restrictions on movement, communication, and daily life.
The armed group, which controls large parts of the region, has intensified efforts to isolate the Rohingya by banning the use of mobile phones and Bangladeshi SIM cards, leaving the community disconnected from the outside world.
Communication Ban and Fear of Punishment
According to local sources, the AA has issued orders forbidding the use of any mobile phone connected to Bangladeshi networks.
Those caught violating this order face extreme consequences, including execution or imprisonment of family members.
“The AA has threatened us with death or imprisonment if we are caught using phones or Bangladeshi SIM cards. We live in constant fear now, afraid that one wrong move could cost us our lives,” said a Rohingya villager.
Last week, the AA raided multiple villages, including Fonyo Layp, and forced residents to surrender all communication devices. In several areas, mobile and internet services have been completely cut off, leaving Rohingya families unable to receive critical updates or reach relatives outside Myanmar.
Despite these restrictions, some Rohingya still manage to access Bangladeshi SIM cards, though the risk of discovery remains high.
Reports indicate that those found using unauthorized communication devices face up to four years in prison, while others could face execution.
“We can still talk to people in Bangladesh, but we are terrified that if we get caught, the punishment will be severe. The AA has warned that anyone caught will be jailed or executed,” another villager shared, expressing fear for their safety.
Targeting of Educated Rohingya and Forced Labor
The AA has also intensified crackdowns on young Rohingya, particularly those with education, making them prime targets for arrest and forced labor. Many fear stepping outside their homes, afraid of being taken away by armed groups.
“We are scared to go outside, especially if we are educated. We don’t know if we will make it back home,” said a young Rohingya resident from Buthidaung.
Reports indicate that Rohingya in several villages have been rounded up and forced to sign labor contracts under threat of detention. The AA has reportedly begun conscripting Rohingya men for manual labor, similar to past abuses committed by the Myanmar military.
Rohingya Left in Isolation and Despair
The escalating restrictions have plunged the Rohingya community into deeper isolation and fear. With their means of communication severed, many are struggling to inform the world about their worsening situation.
The continuous cycle of forced displacement, repression, and economic hardship has left thousands in desperate conditions.
As the crisis continues, human rights organizations and international watchdogs are urging immediate intervention.
The severe restrictions on Rohingya movement and communication mirror previous strategies of persecution used by Myanmar’s military, raising concerns about long-term ethnic cleansing efforts.
Without urgent global action, the Rohingya in Buthidaung risk further repression, forced labor, and an even greater humanitarian catastrophe. Their voices are being silenced, and their suffering remains largely unseen—another grim chapter in their ongoing struggle for survival.
