by Hafizur Rahman. Buthidaung, Arakan State — October 31, 2026
Around 50 Rohingya residents, including religious and village leaders, were reportedly pressured to attend an Arakan Army (AA) meeting in Kenothi village, Buthidaung Township, on October 29, according to a local source relaying a participant’s account.
The source, who was not present, said the meeting began at around 10 a.m. and included calls for financial assistance and participation in activities organised by the AA and the United League of Arakan (ULA).
According to the account, AA representatives denied responsibility for genocide against Rohingya and described Muslim and Rakhine communities as brothers. Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify the statements attributed to the speakers.
Allegations of Pressure Over Video Recording
The source said the meeting was recorded and separately alleged that a Rohingya resident was pressured to appear in a video despite being unwilling to do so.
According to the source, the resident feared repercussions if he refused. The information provided did not establish whether an explicit threat was made, what he was asked to say or whether the recording took place during the same meeting.
His identity is being withheld for safety reasons.
Rohingya Khobor could not establish the intended use of the recordings or whether they had been published. The available account also did not specify how attendance was enforced or whether residents could refuse the requests for support.
The allegations remain independently unverified. The information provided did not include an AA/ULA response.
