by Hafizur Rahman
Kyauktaw, Arakan State — October 9, 2026
Rohingya residents in Kyauktaw Township say young men are facing growing pressure to attend military training organised by the Arakan Army (AA), leaving families worried about their safety and livelihoods.
Residents told Rohingya Khobor that requests for recruits are being passed through village administrators and local leaders. Some young men have reportedly been warned that refusing to attend training could lead to punishment or detention.
“They are not always coming directly to take people. Village administrators and other local leaders are being used to call young men for training. People are afraid that if they refuse, they may be punished or arrested,” one Rohingya resident said.
Residents described different responses among young people. Some reportedly support joining the AA, while others do not want to take part in military activities and fear being forced to do so.
For married men, the pressure has created particular concerns. Many support their wives, children and other relatives through daily work and worry about what would happen if they were sent away for training.
“I have a family to take care of. If I am sent for training, who will provide food for my wife and children? We are not against our people, but we also cannot simply leave our families without knowing when we will come back,” another resident told Rohingya Khobor.
Families also fear that those who attend training may be sent to other areas or assigned military duties without knowing when they will return home.
Alongside the recruitment concerns, residents in some Rohingya villages alleged that AA members have been entering communities, questioning people and demanding money.
According to residents, such demands have been made repeatedly, and some families fear threats or detention if they refuse to pay.
“We are living with fear. They come into the villages, ask questions and demand money. People are afraid to say no because they worry that they could be arrested,” a third Rohingya resident said.
The latest accounts come amid broader concerns about the treatment of Rohingya civilians in AA-controlled areas of Arakan State.
The United Nations human rights office has previously documented credible reports of forced recruitment by the AA in several townships, including Kyauktaw. Human rights organisations have also reported restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention and forced labour affecting Rohingya communities.
Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify the reported recruitment orders, threats or demands for money in Kyauktaw. It was also unable to establish how many young people had been asked to attend training or whether anyone had recently been taken by force.
The AA’s response to the latest allegations was not available at the time of publication.
