By Camp Correspondent
Buthidaung, May 12, 2025 —Dozens of Rohingya families from three villages in Buthidaung Township are now preparing to flee to Bangladesh after the Arakan Army (AA) ordered them to build makeshift huts in a waterlogged paddy field near Pyin Shay Village, instead of allowing them to return to their homes.
The families were originally displaced from Kan Kying Pa Kan Pyin village group, Tapyar Village, Kan Gyi Pyin Village, and Bawli Village (Ounsi Farar) following a recent AA operation, allegedly citing security concerns involving the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). But when villagers pleaded to return to their homes, the AA refused—and instead, on May 10, ordered them to erect shelters in the open paddy fields near Pyin Shay.
“How can we survive the monsoon in a flooded field? The wind is strong, and the huts won’t last. We begged to go back to our homes, but they won’t listen,” one villager told Rohingya Khobor, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Local sources say the AA is treating the Rohingya as if they are foreigners, using intimidation and weapons to control them. “They don’t see us as citizens. That’s why people are getting ready to cross into Bangladesh,” said another resident.
This latest displacement follows a broader crackdown last month, where the AA forcibly removed Rohingya from at least 35 villages in northern Buthidaung, including:
- Pyin Shay (Lambar Bil), Kyet Maw Taung North (Shawdor Farar), Kyet Maw Taung South (Hadimma Farar), Dabyu Chaung (Daburunyawng),
- Pulae Taung (Mauna Farar), Maung Gyi Taung (Shab Bazaar), Aung Lan Pyin (Maurisa Bil & Olifa Farar),
- Tharay Kone Tan (Shaikh Rikhuna), Maung Hlwar Ma (Yawng Farar), N/Kyin Taw, Badhana, Kumikhali, Mee Kyaung Khaung Seik,
- Kone Tan, Laung Chaung (Rusanabil), Oriya Farar, Bazaar Farar, Atwin Ngakthe Village (Kyar Zin Ga Farar),
- Pyarpin Yinn (Sitowar Farar), Htan Shauk Khan (Hawlya Siri), Yet Nyo Taung (Yawng Gaya Taung – Middle),
- Forni Basha, Yawng Gaya Taung – South, Kontine Village group, Tharay Kin Manu (Tharakh Kuni),
- Mee Kyaung Zay (Feta Ali Village), and Mizina Village (Zati Farar) under the Darpine Sayar Village group.
Rohingya villagers say the systematic nature of these evictions signals a wider campaign of displacement, leaving them with no option but to seek safety across the border.
