by RK Desk
Buthidaung, Arakan State — September 14, 2026
Rohingya residents from Buthidaung Township have provided Rohingya Khobor with accounts alleging killings, arbitrary detention, displacement, property destruction and continuing restrictions on movement and livelihoods under the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).
The accounts describe events beginning during intensified fighting in late 2023 and continuing after the Arakan Army took control of Buthidaung in May 2024. Many of the specific figures and individual allegations provided to Rohingya Khobor could not be independently verified.
However, several broader patterns described by residents are consistent with findings previously documented by international human rights organisations.
Human Rights Watch has documented widespread destruction of Rohingya areas in Buthidaung during April and May 2024. Its analysis of satellite imagery found that more than 40 villages and hamlets in the township were partially or completely destroyed by fire during that period. Witnesses interviewed by the organisation also described killings, looting and attacks involving Arakan Army forces.
Residents who spoke to Rohingya Khobor named a number of Rohingya villages that they said suffered destruction, displacement or loss of property. Several of those locations, including Ywet Nyo Taung, Da Pyu Chaung and Htan Shauk Khaung, have also appeared in independently documented accounts of violence and destruction.
The residents additionally alleged that Rohingya-owned farmland and property had been taken over after communities were displaced. They provided estimates for the amount of land affected and the number of religious and educational buildings destroyed, but Rohingya Khobor has not independently verified those totals.
Residents also described arrests and disappearances of Rohingya men after the ULA/AA consolidated control over the township.
Independent reporting has documented similar concerns. Human rights organisations have reported arbitrary detention and mistreatment of Rohingya under Arakan Army control, while more recent assessments have described continuing movement and livelihood restrictions in northern Arakan State.
Some residents told Rohingya Khobor that travelling outside their immediate area requires permission from local authorities and may involve fees or guarantors. They also described restrictions on access to farmland, forests and other livelihood activities.
The precise procedures and fees described by residents could not be independently confirmed.
Rohingya families also reported rising food prices, limited employment opportunities and difficulties maintaining education for their children. Several said families contribute money toward teachers and other local services because formal educational provision remains limited.
Residents further alleged unequal treatment in access to education, employment and communications infrastructure. Rohingya Khobor has not independently established whether these practices form part of an official ULA/AA policy or are being imposed by individual local authorities.
The ULA/AA has previously rejected allegations that it deliberately targets Rohingya civilians and has said some movement restrictions in areas under its control are imposed for security reasons.
Rohingya Khobor has sought comment from the ULA/AA on the allegations described in this report, including claims concerning detention, movement restrictions, displaced Rohingya land and access to education and livelihoods.
The specific casualty totals, land figures and numbers of destroyed religious and educational buildings provided by residents remain under verification.
