Arakan Army releases 89 Maungdaw villagers detained after recruitment dispute

By Admin 03 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

3 June 2026, Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) released 89 of more than 100 residents of Thinbawhla Village on 2 June following a dispute over military recruitment in Maungdaw Township.

The Arakan Army detained more than 100 villagers on 24 May after a confrontation broke out between Thinbawhla residents and Arakan Army personnel during a recruitment drive conducted under the National Defence Emergency Provision (NDEP).

“Today, 89 people were released. I think the remaining ones have not been freed yet because they are still being interrogated,” a resident of Maungdaw told DMG.

Local residents said that while most detainees have been released, 25 people remain in custody. Those released reportedly include youths, women and elderly villagers.

“It is true that they were released. I heard it was around 90 people in total. ” a source familiar with the situation said.

On 27 May, 12 ethnic Chakma organizations issued a joint statement calling for the immediate release of the Thinbawhla villagers detained by the Arakan Army.

The statement alleged that Arakan Army personnel fired warning shots and assaulted villagers, injuring several residents, including pregnant women.

Arakan Army spokesperson U Khaing Thukha told DMG that the incident resulted from a misunderstanding after a crowd attempted to incite unrest, leading to temporary detentions. He added that officials had thoroughly explained national defence responsibilities to those involved so they could gain a proper understanding.

The Maungdaw District Chakma Ethnic Affairs Committee also issued a statement on 31 May, saying it was working to help resolve the military recruitment dispute and restore stability.

Thinbawhla Village is located along the Maungdaw-Kyeinchaung-Taungpyo Letwe road near the Bangladesh border.

In northern Maungdaw border villages near Bangladesh, including Taungpyo Letwe, Meetaik, Thinbawhla, Aungthayar and Nanthartaung, Muslim armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), and Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) remain active. Reports indicate that these groups have carried out killings targeting local Arakanese and ethnic minority communities.