by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, Arakan, September 5, 2025, Rohingya residents in Mingala Gyi village, Maungdaw Township, report nightly abuse, beatings, and threats at the hands of Arakan Army (AA) patrols. Villagers say that after 7 p.m., soldiers roam the streets, targeting anyone they encounter outside their homes.
Elderly Men Attacked on the Way to Mosque
One resident described an incident on the evening of September 3:
“Around 7 p.m., two elderly men in our village were walking with flashlights to the mosque for prayer. AA soldiers stopped them, slapped and kicked them, and insulted them, saying, ‘This is not your country. We can do whatever we want to you. If you don’t like it, leave.’ After torturing them, they were released.”
Brutality Against Worshippers
Another villager recounted how four men returning from the mosque were attacked the same night.
“They were beaten until they fell to the ground. The soldiers even pressed their boots on their necks, nearly suffocating them,” he said. “The AA told them, ‘If we kill you and bury you, nobody will know. Even if the world hears, they won’t help you. They will only write reports.’”
Fear After Sunset
Locals explained that whether or not they carry flashlights makes no difference—any Rohingya found outside after dark risks being abused.
“We live in fear every evening. After 7 p.m., no one dares to go outside because AA soldiers are waiting. They beat, threaten, and demand money from us whenever they want,” a villager said.
Growing Intimidation
Observers warn that these incidents are part of escalating ethnic-based intimidation in northern Rakhine State, deepening fear among the Rohingya and leaving communities trapped under constant harassment and insecurity.
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