by Hafizur Rahman
Tension is rising in parts of Buthidaung Township after the Arakan Army reportedly collected names of Rohingya villagers, including young girls, for military recruitment, according to local residents. The incident was reported on February 15, 2026.
Residents said a meeting was held in Maung Nyo Ma Phyu Taung village, under Nanyar Kone village tract in Buthidaung Township. During the meeting, village leaders were reportedly instructed to prepare a list of residents to be sent for military service.
According to villagers, the group demanded five men and ten girls from the village and told leaders that the names must be submitted without delay.
“There are almost no young men left in our village,” one Rohingya resident said. “Most of them left earlier because they were afraid of being taken. Now they are asking for our daughters.”
Pressure and Financial Demands
Local residents said many young men had previously fled to Bangladesh or moved to other areas to avoid forced recruitment. As a result, several villages are now largely populated by women, children, and elderly residents.
Another villager reported that families were told they could avoid sending someone by paying large sums of money.
“They said if we do not want to send a girl, we must pay 2.5 million Myanmar kyats. For a man, it is 2 million,” the resident said. “Poor families like ours cannot afford that.”
Residents said the demands have created widespread fear and uncertainty.
Growing Anxiety Across Villages
Families in nearby villages said they are increasingly worried about forced recruitment and possible arrests. Some residents reported that families have begun leaving their homes at night with limited belongings, while others remain but live in constant anxiety.
“We do not sleep well anymore,” a Rohingya woman said. “Every sound makes us afraid that someone will come for our children.”
Local residents said the overall situation in Buthidaung Township is becoming more tense, with growing concern that forced recruitment, financial extortion, and further displacement may increase if pressure continues.
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