By Hafizur Rahman, Buthidaung, Arakan, August 28, 2025
The Arakan Army (AA) has been pressuring Rohingya village administrators in northern Buthidaung for the past two months to send women and girls for military training, according to local reports. The order has sparked fear across villages and forced several families to abandon their homes in search of safety.
Pressure on Villages
Community members reported that the Arakan Army instructed village leaders to provide at least three unmarried women between the ages of 18 and 25 from each village. In some cases, women from administrators’ families have joined the training during the day but returned home at night, residents said.
Families Fleeing in Fear
A Rohingya father who recently fled with his family described his decision to leave:
“I could not sleep at night knowing they might come for my daughters. Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined them being taken away. I left behind my home, my belongings, even my land, because nothing is more important than their safety.”
Another mother from a nearby village shared her fear:
“We hear every day that the army is demanding girls for training. My daughters cry when they hear this. We live in constant fear, not knowing when they will knock on our door.”
Women Living Under Constant Threat
A young woman who narrowly avoided recruitment described the uncertainty of her life:
“I am afraid all the time. If they force us, how can we refuse? My parents want to protect me, but we feel helpless. That is why many families are leaving.”
Warning of Mass Displacement
Residents warn that if the forced recruitment of women continues, the situation could lead to a mass displacement, with more Rohingya families fleeing Buthidaung to protect their daughters from being targeted.
