by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, September 15, 2025 – Rohingya communities in Maungdaw Township are reporting alarming incidents of forced recruitment by the Arakan Army (AA), which has been coercing local youths to join its ranks. The development has intensified fear and insecurity among Rohingya already facing harsh living conditions under AA control.
Threats and Forced Recruitment
On August 5, 2025, a truck carrying around 37 AA personnel entered Kyaw Hle Kha, a Rohingya village in Maungdaw. According to villagers, the AA summoned residents from Zin Paing Yar, Minglalar Gyi, and Kyaw Hle Kha villages for a meeting.
During the gathering, the militia ordered that 30 youths from each village must be handed over to join their forces. This means at least 90 Rohingya youths from the three villages are expected to undergo militia training by the end of the month. The AA allegedly threatened to detain family members if the youths refused to comply.
Fear Among Families
The announcement has left families in deep distress.
“We are living in fear every day by hearing such news. If our sons are taken, we don’t know when we will ever see them again,” said a father from Minglalar Gyi.
A young man from Zin Paing Yar described the threats:
“AA told us that if we don’t join, they will arrest our families. How can we live under such threats? The international community should do something for the remaining Rohingya people in Arakan State.”
Another parent from Kyaw Hle Kha added:
“They are forcing our children into their army. We are afraid they will be used as human shields in battles, just like the military did in 2024.”
Forced Relocation Plans
Alongside the forced recruitment, the AA has also announced plans to relocate Rohingya from Kyi Kan Pyin village into Kyaw Hle Kha, Zin Paing Yar, and Minglalar Gyi. Families will reportedly be forced to live in makeshift shelters covered only with tarpaulins, worsening overcrowding and tensions in the villages.
Worsening Insecurity for Rohingya
Rohingya residents say the forced recruitment is another layer of exploitation in a long chain of abuses, including land confiscation, restrictions on movement, and forced labor. Many fear their sons could be taken to the frontlines, deepening the cycle of violence and displacement.
The reports highlight the dire humanitarian crisis facing Rohingya under AA control and underscore calls for urgent international action. Without external intervention, residents warn that the community will continue to face systematic exploitation, persecution, and the loss of yet another generation.
