Arakan Army Accused of Human Rights Abuses Against Rohingya (Feb 2026)

This week, from February 6 to 12, 2026, the Arakan Army (AA/ULA) has intensified a sweeping campaign of human rights violations against Rohingya civilians in Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships, northern Rakhine State. Documented abuses include forced conscription targeting men, women, and children; extortion under the guise of military service; unlawful seizure and looting of properties; forced labor exactions; and imposition of restrictive permit regimes on religious and cultural events. The campaign has triggered widespread fear and ongoing displacement.

FORCED CONSCRIPTION CRISIS

Village-Wide Conscription Lists

· February 6: AA compiled conscription lists in Phonn Yo Lit village, Buthidaung Township, recording names of 45 Rohingya from two sub-villages. With 14 sub-villages total, an estimated 315 individuals are at risk.

· Minors targeted: Sources confirm children under 18—both boys and girls—are included on conscription lists.

· Threats: AA warned of punitive actions for refusal and threatened families into fleeing to Bangladesh.

Forced Conscription Operations

· February 2 (reported Feb 8): AA forcibly conscripted 14 Rohingya men from Kyauk Hla Pin, Htin Shar Pin, and Done Shan villages for military training. Ten victims identified, aged 18–48.

· Additional abductions:

· Myaung Nar village: 15 Rohingya forcibly taken

· Bagone Nar village: 5 Rohingya youths forcibly taken

· Buthidaung town: 330 Rohingya from eight wards and villages threatened with conscription.

Lottery System for Conscription

· February 8 meeting: AA summoned Rohingya from Doe Tan, War Yon Chaung, Kyein Chaung, Lay Myo, Kakayet Bet, and Kyun Pauk villages.

· Quotas announced:

· Doe Tan: 20 youths

· Kyein Chaung: 15 youths

· Zaw Bo: 7 youths

· Kyun Pauk: 5 youths

· February 9–10: Village administrators conducted lottery selection; first batch from Phonn Yo Lit ordered to report for duty.

Women Targeted for Conscription

· AA explicitly targeting Rohingya women and girls.

· When an elder objected, an AA official responded: "In every Muslim country, women serve in the military, there is no reason Rohingya girls should not serve."

Analyst Observation

"Rohingya in AA-controlled areas are being forcibly conscripted and sent to frontlines, while those in SAC-controlled areas are also coerced into military service—resulting in Rohingya youth being decimated in combat on both sides. The remaining Rohingya in Rakhine State have become a football being kicked between the AA and the SAC."

EXTORTION AND CORRUPTION

Cash-for-Exemption Scheme

· Village administrator U Ismael (Kakayet Bet village) exploited conscription lists to extort residents.

· Demand: 100,000 kyats per person for name removal.

· Actual payments: 800,000–1,000,000 kyats reportedly paid per exemption.

· Tactic: Falsely claiming individuals were on conscription lists, then offering paid removal.

PROPERTY SEIZURE AND LOOTING

Declaration of "Ownerless Properties"

· February 9: AA ordered seizure of vacant homes, shops, and properties of displaced Rohingya in Maungdaw Township.

· Classification: Properties of those who fled during Maungdaw battle deemed "ownerless."

· Disposition: Vacant homes to be demolished; properties designated as AA/ULA government assets.

· Public reaction: Residents question whether AA's enemy is the military council or the people.

Looting and Denial of Family Access

· February 7: AA officer U Nay Myo Aung forcibly entered vacant Rohingya homes in Gone Nar village and looted large water storage containers.

· Villages affected: Pongzar, Hlarpawzar, Shwezar, Thihogyun, Pyinphyu, Kyaukhlekhar, Thayetoke.

· Denial of access: AA prohibits immediate family members from retrieving or selling belongings from evacuated homes.

· AA justification: All ownerless properties deemed AA/ULA property; homes to be demolished.

Community Response

· An ethnic Rakhine resident stated:

"The attempt to seize assets of IDPs...has intensified questions over whether the AA/ULA has come to protect civilians or has instead emerged as a blood-sucking authoritarian force."

FORCED LABOR AND LIVELIHOOD DESTRUCTION

Seizure of Community Prawn Pond

· Location: West of Mingalargyi village, near border fence.

· Communities affected: Mingalargyi, Pongzar, and Hlarpawzar villages.

· History: Pond constructed in 2013, became community livelihood source.

· January 15, 2026: AA unlawfully seized the pond.

Forced Labor Exaction

· Daily forced labor: 50 laborers per village (total 150 per day) from Mingalargyi, Hlarpawzar, and Pongzar.

· Material exaction: Rohingya business owners forced to supply lime, bamboo, and construction materials.

· Compensation: None. Villagers bear both material costs and labor.

· Witness statement: "The AA will reap all the benefits. Rohingya are being made to provide labor like modern-day slaves."

RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL FREEDOMS

Permit and Fee Regime

· Requirement: AA/ULA permission mandatory for Islamic sermons, weddings, football matches.

· Fee: Nearly 100,000 kyats per event.

· Approval process: Three-tier system requiring 10–12 days minimum.

· Specific restrictions:

· No religious sermons without authorization and payment

· No amplified music at weddings without approval and fee

· No recreational football matches without permission and 100,000 kyat payment

Comparative Context

· Residents report such requirements never existed under previous military council administration.

DISPLACEMENT AND HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS

· Daily flight from villages due to fear of forced conscription.

· Many Rohingya families previously displaced; displacement continues.

· Returnees not permitted to reclaim homes or properties.

· Communication disruptions hinder verification and humanitarian access.

· Tensions remain high across Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships.

INTERNATIONAL REACTION

Human rights organizations have expressed grave concern over inadequate protection of civilians in conflict-affected areas and the practices of military conscription. The systematic targeting of Rohingya civilians by AA/ULA forces raises serious questions under international humanitarian and human rights law.

CONCLUSION

The week of February 6–12, 2026, marks a significant escalation in the AA/ULA's campaign against Rohingya civilians in northern Rakhine State. Forced conscription, including of women and children; extortion; property seizure; forced labor; and cultural restrictions collectively indicate a systematic effort to subjugate and economically exploit the Rohingya population. The international community faces urgent calls to document these violations and demand accountability.

Report compiled February 15, 2026

Sources: Local residents, eyewitness accounts, field monitoring