Rohingya families fear forced recruitment drive in western Myanmar
Residents say militant outfit Arakan Army controlling much of western Myanmar has begun registering Rohingya youth, triggering fear and uncertainty
YANGON, Myanmar (MNTV) — Fears are growing among Rohingya families in western Myanmar after residents reported renewed registration of young men and women for possible military recruitment in areas controlled by the Rakhine nationalist militant outfit Arakan Army.
Residents from Maungdaw Township, a Rohingya-majority area near Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh, said village administrators linked to Arakan Army have recently started collecting names of Rohingya residents between ages of 18 and 30 through household registration records.
According to the Rohingya Khobor, registration efforts have been reported in villages including Paungzar, Hla Baw Zar, Kyauk Hla Ka and Mingalar Gyi, where families were instructed to bring official household documents to local administrative offices so personal information could be recorded.
Many residents fear registration could become a precursor to compulsory military service.
“Every parent wants to see their children grow up, study and build a future,” one Rohingya father from Maungdaw said. “When we hear about military recruitment, our hearts become heavy because we do not know what will happen to them.”
The development comes as western Myanmar continues experiencing dramatic shifts in territorial control following the collapse of military positions across large parts of Rakhine State.
While the Arakan Army has emerged as the dominant armed actor in the region after years of fighting the Myanmar military, Rohingya communities and rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns over treatment of Rohingya civilians living under new authorities.
Residents said fears extend beyond recruitment itself.
Some families reported that young people who previously joined armed organizations have disappeared for long periods without communication, leaving relatives uncertain about their fate.
“We spend every day thinking about our children,” one Rohingya mother said. “If they leave, we may not know where they are or when we will see them again. A mother’s biggest fear is losing contact with her child.”
Community members said growing anxiety is pushing some young people to consider leaving their villages to avoid possible recruitment.
“We want to continue our studies and find jobs one day,” a young Rohingya resident said. “Our dream is not war. Our dream is to learn, work and support our families.”
For many Rohingya families, concerns now extend beyond immediate security fears to broader questions about education, employment opportunities, and whether another generation of Rohingya youth could become trapped between armed actors in a conflict they say they did not choose.
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