“The AA has not yet allowed [Rohingyas living in] IDPs to return to their
homes and villages in Buthidaung township and continues to conduct raids,
including on villages that are hosting large numbers of IDPs, such as Hpon
Nyo Leik. In early October, AA forces conducted an early-morning raid on the
Rohingya villages of Ah Twin Nget They and Hpon Nyo Leik. Villagers
reported that AA members threatened and assaulted residents. The AA
claimed the raids were in response to alleged Rohingya armed groups hiding
in these villages, but residents deny this.”
We must remember from our testimonies who repeatedly denied that there were either members
or supporters of the Rohingya armed groups in the attacked villages. In the villages, the
respondents testified that there lived only innocent civilian Rohingyas. It was also found that they
haven’t seen the movements of any armed groups except the movements of the Arakan Army in
their areas. Mohammed Alom also echoes a similar tone and says this seems to be part of a plan
to continue their brutal actions against Rohingya IDPs, who sought refuge in the camps after
fleeing from their own villages, while talking about his own displacement and the fragmentation
of his family. Along with five members of his immediate family, he was also made to leave and
live a displaced life due to violent attacks by the AA. In his extended family, another two
members have also been displaced, while another two have disappeared. He further testifies that
his village witnessed the displacement of around 1,000 residents, with several individuals also
reported missing. This was because in 2024, the AA launched attacks on their place that created a
state of chaos and fear among his community. He reiterates that the AA forcibly entered their
locality. He and his family had no choice but to flee for their lives. Alom and all his fellow
villagers faced direct threats from the AA. His own relative was shot in the leg and critically
injured. The primary reason for their displacement was the repeated use of Rohingya villages as
battlegrounds whenever the AA engaged in conflict with the Myanmar military. The destruction
of their homes and the constant violence left them with no safe place to stay.
Abdullah, along with nine members of his immediate family, was forcibly displaced from his
home due to increasing restrictions and violence imposed by the AA. His extended family also
suffered greatly, with 70 relatives displaced. While none of his family members have disappeared,
11 villagers from his community are unaccounted for. The displacement was triggered by the
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