By: Camp Correspondent
More than 40 Rohingya youth have reportedly escaped from an Arakan Army (AA) training camp in Buthidaung Township after facing forced drug use, discrimination, and degrading conditions. Sources inside the community say the AA is now conducting a covert search using its local Rohingya-affiliated units to locate and re-capture the escapees.
On April 11, the AA reportedly transported 63 Rohingya youth from various villages in Maungdaw Township to the camp in Buthidaung. This group included 16 from Shwe Zar, 7 from Bantaubiin, and 2 from Mingalar Gyi, among others. The facility is believed to house 165 Rohingya trainees, with the majority, 102 of them, originating from Buthidaung.
A former trainee who managed to flee spoke to Rohingya Khobor under the condition of anonymity. His account paints a chilling picture of life inside the camp:
“They made us take drugs every day. If we refused, they starved us or beat us. We were treated like inferiors compared to the Rakhine trainees. I could not take it anymore. That is why I escaped.”
The camp has developed a notorious reputation among Rohingya families, many of whom say their sons were misled with false promises of voluntary training. Instead, they say, recruits have been subjected to coercion, forced substance use, and routine threats.
A respected elder from Maungdaw added:
“They told the boys they would be trained for security roles. Instead, they drugged and abused them. Now, they are using Rohingya members within their own ranks to track down the boys who escaped. People are terrified.”
In addition to the secret manhunt, reports of fresh arrests are also raising alarm. On July 14, AA personnel reportedly detained 39-year-old Mohammad Alalom (also known as Abul Kalam) from Latha Ward in Maungdaw town. The reason for his arrest remains unclear. Another Rohingya man of the same name, a former footballer from Zintula village, was arrested back in March and has remained in custody for over four months without charge or contact.
The situation has sparked deep anxiety across northern Rakhine, particularly among parents and families with missing or detained loved ones. Many say they are now afraid to even ask about their sons’ whereabouts, fearing retaliation.
As the AA consolidates territorial control, Rohingya youth are increasingly caught between forced militarization and systemic abuse. Neither accepted as citizens nor spared as civilians.
“We are not part of the military. We are not part of the AA. But we are punished simply for being Rohingya,” said the escaped trainee.
