by Hafizur Rahman
Buthidaung, Arakan State — October 21, 2026. Arakan Army (AA) and United League of Arakan (ULA) officials reportedly called on Rohingya community leaders and business owners to encourage young men to join AA forces and provide financial support during a meeting in Buthidaung Township on October 21.
According to local sources, around 50 Rohingya community leaders and business owners from Maungdaw attended, alongside nearly 100 business owners from Buthidaung.
Officials reportedly also asked participants to publicly oppose the activities of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), and to discourage support for the groups.
Recruitment and Financial Contributions
Sources familiar with the meeting said AA/ULA representatives linked their requests for support to cooperation and peaceful relations between Rohingya and Rakhine communities.
An AA battalion commander reportedly spoke about the loss of Rakhine fighters during the conflict and said Rohingya residents who did not join the forces should contribute financially or provide other assistance.
The accounts did not establish whether officials specified contribution amounts, recruitment targets or deadlines. It was also unclear whether residents could refuse without facing consequences.
Calls to Oppose Armed Groups
According to the sources, officials urged Rohingya leaders to speak publicly against ARSA and RSO and asked Rohingya communities abroad to discourage assistance to those groups.
The officials reportedly argued that the groups’ activities could undermine relations between Rohingya and Rakhine communities.
These statements were accounts of the officials’ position. They do not establish that the Rohingya residents attending the meeting had supported either group.
Officials Discuss Military Situation
A local administrative source said AA representatives also discussed the military situation and expressed confidence in their ability to defend areas under their control.
According to the source, officials urged residents not to panic over reports of a possible advance by the Myanmar military.
Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify the accounts of the meeting, the attendance figures or the statements attributed to AA/ULA representatives. The information available did not include an AA/ULA response clarifying whether recruitment and financial contributions would be voluntary.
