Rohingya Arrested and Detained by AA in Arakan

The local Rohingya community has reported that 83 Rohingya individuals were recently detained by the Arakan Army (AA) after attempting to flee from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Despite their efforts, Bangladesh Border Guards denied entry, resulting in their forced return by the Border Guard Police (BGP) to Arakan, where the AA subsequently detained them.

According to AA announcements, these Rohingya, who were fleeing ongoing conflict, are being held in Maungdaw Township’s Manglagyi Phin Phyu and Paung Zarr camps.

Among those detained is Molana Hamid, a prominent Islamic scholar and respected elder from Maungdaw, who is over 70 years old. His health has severely deteriorated due to inadequate access to medical treatment and essential medicine. With the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military, obtaining even basic necessities such as clean water and timely meals has become nearly impossible, a refugee from Maungdaw shared.

On October 11, Molana Hamid attempted to cross into Bangladesh for urgent medical treatment. However, he was denied entry by Bangladesh Border Guards and, upon returning, was apprehended by the AA. He remains in detention despite his critical health condition. A Rohingya refugee in Maungdaw reported that Molana Hamid’s situation has grown increasingly dire.

Efforts by local Rohingya to appeal for his release have been unsuccessful. A local resident shared, “I pleaded with the AA to release Molana Hamid because his health is critical, and he is elderly.”

Of the 83 detained individuals, reports indicate that 43 are being held in Manglagyi Phin Phyu camp, where they have been subjected to beatings, and deprived of food and water by AA personnel.

Analysts warn that the situation for these Rohingya detainees is especially precarious as Myanmar’s military continues aerial bombardments across northern Arakan, targeting former military camps. This has made the environment extremely dangerous for those seeking refuge from the conflict.

Residents in Maungdaw District report that the United League of Arakan (ULA)/AA’s statements claiming fair treatment of the Rohingya are misleading and spread misinformation about the actual conditions.

A recent Amnesty International report further indicates that the situation for Rohingya has deteriorated due to AA’s occupation of Buthidaung and Maungdaw, with reports of expulsions, killings, and mass arrests.

Rohingya Vision News