Terror in Rohingya Camps: Kidnappings for Conscription Rise

In the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh, a wave of fear grips the Rohingya community as gangs increasingly abduct boys for forced conscription in Myanmar’s ongoing conflict, RFA reported yesterday. Following a military announcement in February to enforce a dormant conscription law, reports indicate that gangs are smuggling refugees across the border to serve as soldiers for both the Myanmar military and opposing forces.

Conditions within the camps have deteriorated, with rampant violence, human trafficking, and extortion becoming commonplace. Families now live in constant fear, often hiding their sons to prevent them from being kidnapped. The situation has transformed daily life; children no longer play outside, and shops remain shuttered.

Analysts highlight that armed groups, such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization, are exploiting the vulnerable population by abducting minors for recruitment. A recent investigation revealed that approximately 1,500 Rohingya have been forcibly conscripted from the camps, with estimates suggesting that the actual number could be as high as 3,000.

As families grapple with the threat of abduction, the Bangladeshi authorities appear unable to address the escalating security crisis, leaving the Rohingya trapped in a cycle of fear and violence.