The Arakan Army (AA) issued a directive on Thursday prohibiting men aged 18 to 45 and women aged 18 to 25, who are eligible to serve in its forces, from leaving Arakan State “until the emergency period caused by the ongoing conflict ends.” This age group is subject to at least two years of mandatory service with the AA.
“Forcing those unwilling to participate in military training is a violation of their individual rights. Human rights violations are not limited to torture or killing, restrictions like this are also violations,” a human rights activist from Arakan State told DVB on condition of anonymity.
The AA claimed that the travel restrictions were a protective measure, citing the risk of arrest, extortion, violence, or forced recruitment by regime forces. It cited its new “National Defence Emergency Provision,” which it enacted on March 18.
“When implementing policies like this, authorities must describe them clearly and systematically. Otherwise, it can lead to forced recruitment [by its members] on-the-ground,” said Han, a resident of Arakan.
The AA also cited the danger of landmines left behind by regime forces as a reason for restricting movement into and out of Arakan. The regime has cut off all transportation routes by land or sea into Myanmar’s westernmost state.
Reports of AA forced recruitment began in the townships under its control in March. It is now prohibiting the transportation of those eligible for recruitment out of the region. Exceptions can only be made for those who require urgent medical treatment unavailable at AA-administered health facilities.
“Compulsory military service is wrong regardless of which armed group imposes it, [whether it’s] the Myanmar military or any revolutionary group. The AA obviously feels it needs labor for everything from administrative tasks, policing and likely future fighting,” David Mathieson, an independent analyst on conflict in Myanmar, told DVB.
“Unfortunately, this is yet another symptom of Myanmar falling into a spiral of never-ending violence,” he added.
Critics of the AA have said that the ethnic armed group needs to explain its order in detail, such as how it will be enforced and which actions will be taken against those who violate it. It should also state the exact duration of the order, and the criteria needed to lift it in the future, critics added.
Since the 2021 coup, there have been reports of forced recruitment by other ethnic armed groups such as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA).
The regime enforced its military conscription law on Feb. 10, 2024, which has been heavily criticized by the international community. Naypyidaw issued stricter conscription regulations in January – one year after the law’s enactment. It has banned conscription-aged men from leaving the country.
Founded in April 2009, the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), has become one of Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic armed groups.
The AA was established with the support of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Myanmar’s northernmost Kachin State. It didn’t begin major military activities in Arakan until 2015.
During Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government from 2016-21 – before it was ousted in the coup and she was jailed alongside President Win Myint – the AA was designated a “terrorist organization.”
On Nov. 13, 2023, the AA launched a state-wide offensive immediately after the rapid gains made in northern Shan State by its co-members of the Brotherhood Alliance, the TNLA and the MNDAA, after Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.
According to an April report by the Human Development Forum Foundation, the AA now commands over 30,000 troops, many of whom are believed to have joined since 2021.
The AA controls 14 of Arakan’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighboring Chinland. The state capital Sittwe, the deep sea port of Kyaukphyu, and the island of Manaung, remain under regime control.
“This [AA forced conscription] is the right thing to do. We are fighting for our liberation. Young people should be given responsibilities and leadership roles. With their participation, we can achieve our goals faster and more effectively,” an activist in Arakan told DVB.
The AA is now fighting on multiple fronts as it has faced attacks from Rohingya armed groups, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border since last year.
In January, the AA expanded its Arakan offensive into neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Magway, and Bago regions.
