Interview
Border News Agency
Myebon, September 22

In Myebon Township, which is controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), local residents—including people under the age of 18—are reportedly being forcibly recruited for military service by the Arakan Army, according to parents, family members, and local residents.

Family members said that the Arakan Army forcibly recruited most of the young people from Ngapathon Village, Kantha Yar Village Tract, Myebon Township. More than 100 young people from the village were reportedly on the list, and most of them were taken for military service.

Parents said that those taken included people under the age of 18, as well as young girls and women.
Border News Agency contacted the mother of a woman from Ngapathon Village who was taken for military service and conducted an interview with her.

“There were 150 people on the list from our village, and 78 of them were taken.”

“Among those 78 people, my daughter, who has health problems, was taken as well. She was actually preparing to go to a clinic because she was ill. We also have medical documents.”

“She has an eye problem. She had just returned from receiving treatment at a clinic in Mrauk-U. Then she became ill again, and she was preparing to go back to the clinic when she was taken. We asked them to leave her behind, but they said no and took her.”

“She was the one who took care of things and led the work at home. If she is not there, there is no one else who can do those things at home.”

“I cannot really go anywhere either. One of my legs is disabled because I fell. Her father can no longer do anything either. We also have an older sister in the household who has a hearing disability.”

“That is why I tried to explain that she should not be taken, but there was no way for us to make such a request successfully. She was taken. They did not give us any time to discuss or negotiate the matter with her parents.”

“They said they were holding a meeting, and then they took everyone whose name was on the list and everyone who was selected. We all saw them being taken away.”

“If my daughter is not here, we will suffer greatly. If there is no one to support and provide for us, nothing will work out for our family.”

“We survive on the money she earns from sewing. Both men and women were taken, and 78 people in total were taken.”

“They have kept them in Kyun Than Yar. I don’t know whether they are taking people from Kyun Than Yar as well or not.”

“I don’t know whether they are threatening people from Ngapathon and taking them from Kyun Than Yar.”

“We have received no information or response from their side. When we reported that she was sick, they told us that there were clinics and doctors there.”