by Hafizur Rahman
Buthidaung, Arakan State — October 13, 2026
The Arakan Army (AA) reportedly called on Rohingya young people, including those under 18, to take part in efforts to defend Arakan State during a meeting with community leaders in Buthidaung Township on October 11.
According to a person who attended the meeting, AA representatives met Rohingya village leaders at around 2 pm at the former Mayaka office in Buthidaung town.
The participant said AA representatives called for girls and young women aged 16 to 30 and boys and men aged 17 to 45 to become involved in protecting Arakan State.
The representatives reportedly spoke about cooperation between Rohingya and Rakhine communities against threats they attributed to the Myanmar military and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
The account did not establish whether the proposed involvement would include military training, armed service or other duties, or whether participation would be voluntary.
The inclusion of 16- and 17-year-olds in the reported age ranges raises particular concerns about the possible involvement of children in military activities.
Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify the statements attributed to AA representatives or obtain clarification from the group about the nature of the proposed duties.
Rohingya Man Reportedly Taken Away
In a separate incident, local sources alleged that AA members took a 40-year-old Rohingya man from Sein Oo Kah village in Buthidaung Township on October 10.
The man was identified in the initial report as Mg Hla Shwe, also known as Mohammed Show Boo.
According to local information, he was reportedly taken at around 5:40 pm over allegations that he had helped arrange travel for girls from the area to Sittwe, with possible onward journeys to Yangon.
Rohingya Khobor could not verify the allegations against him, establish the circumstances in which he was taken or confirm whether he was being held by the AA.
His whereabouts and condition remained unknown in the information available at the time of reporting.
It was also unclear whether his family had received any explanation or been able to contact him.
The two incidents were reported separately, and there is no evidence establishing a connection between them.
