AA Beats And Intimidates Rohingya in Maungdaw

On the evening of September 5, 2024, a Rohingya pharmacist, Mohammad Ali, was brutally beaten and threatened by members of the Arakan Army (AA) in Kyaw Hle Kha market, Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, Myanmar. The incident occurred at 6:10 PM as he was closing his pharmacy, just 10 minutes past the local curfew.

Mohammad Ali, a resident of Rwa Thai Rwa Hamlet in Kyaw Hle Kha village, was attacked simply for being at his own shop after the curfew. Eyewitnesses reported that the pharmacist was mercilessly beaten with guns and sticks by AA soldiers, who also threatened to shoot him.

According to a local source, AA soldiers arrived as Ali was locking up his pharmacy. Without warning, they bound him and proceeded to assault him. Despite being only 10 minutes late in leaving the market, the soldiers showed no mercy. They reportedly threatened him with death if he was ever found outside during curfew hours again, warning that his body would be “burnt to ashes.”

The Arakan Army has imposed strict curfews on Rohingya villages in both Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships, demanding full compliance with their orders. Any perceived disobedience is met with severe punishment, including physical violence and, in some cases, death.

A Rohingya leader from Arakan State stated, “The Rohingya villagers are under constant threat from the Arakan Army. Any failure to comply with their orders can result in brutal punishment or even being killed.”

The Rohingya, already recognized as one of the most persecuted groups in the world, are enduring ongoing repression at the hands of both the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military. They are now pleading with the international community for protection, justice, and basic humanitarian aid, as many are left without food or medical treatment.

Rohingya Vision News