By Camp Correspondent
February 23, 2025
Reports say the Myanmar military is planning to train young and middle-aged Rohingya men for combat. This comes as the military and the Arakan Army (AA) continue fighting in the region.
According to sources, 936 Rohingya prisoners—detained in various prisons across Myanmar—were gathered at Insein Prison and then sent by boat to Sittwe in Rakhine State on February 19.
Officials say these prisoners were released as part of a repatriation effort and were placed in cyclone shelters when they arrived, where camp authorities took over their care.
The military council has publicly said that Rohingya will not be forced to join the military. They claim that the plan is to help them return to their hometowns, especially in Maungdaw and Buthidaung, when conditions get better.
However, independent sources report that younger and middle-aged Rohingya are being chosen for a 45-day military training program. After this training, they might be sent to fight against the AA in Sittwe.
Older Rohingya are reportedly being sent to refugee camps. There are worries that some might already be placed in military battalions.
These reports raise serious concerns about the treatment of returning Rohingya. Human rights groups warn that these young people could be used as human shields or forced to fight in a conflict they did not choose.
The international community is being asked to watch these developments closely and take action to stop any human rights abuses.
