Seventeen Rohingya men have been abducted from northern Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, Myanmar, by the Arakan Army (AA). The abductions occurred within the last week of September 2024.
Among those taken are Mohammad Karim and Jani Alom, residents of Kyaung Pork village. In addition, 15 more Rohingya youths from South Badaka village were also abducted.
A local source disclosed that these men were taken to an undisclosed location, and their whereabouts remain unknown. The source added, βThe youths were abducted for forced recruitment into the Arakan Army.β
Rohingya villagers in Kyaung Pork and Badaka are regularly extorted by the AA, having to provide food and, at times, pay 10,000 MMK per household. These actions are part of a broader pattern of oppression by the group.
One Rohingya man who managed to escape after being forcibly recruited explained that abducted youths are taken to the AA’s base camp, where they undergo 15 days of militia training. Afterward, they are sent to the frontlines as human shields, without any equipment. He added, βMany of those coerced into joining have been killed during combat with the Myanmar military, while others remain imprisoned or are sent to fight.β
The security situation in Buthidaung Township is rapidly deteriorating as forced conscription, abductions, killings, and extortion by the Arakan Army continue unabated. Despite the AA’s control over the entire township, these abuses show no signs of abating.
Rohingya Vision News
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