The junta forces detained 64 more Muslim youthsfrom Buthidaung township of Rakhine State for compulsory military enrolment,said local residents.

On 23 February at around 7:30 pm, the junta forcesforcibly detained 12 individuals from Oh Thel Ma Muslim village, two fromMyaung Nar Muslim village, 30 from Ah Lel Chaung Muslim village and 20 from KaKya Bat Muslim village. They were subsequently transported to Buthidaungtactical command base by 9:30 pm.

"The soldiers came in three vehicles during themorning hours. After a day of surveillance, they carried out forced arrests. Weare not happy at all, but we have no choice," said a resident.

The junta soldiers from Buthidaung tactical commandbase came by three vehicles. Around  20 soldiers were stationed near ZawBaw Muslim village, another 20 near Buthidaung golf course and 20 others nearthe religious school.

On 19 and 20 February, the  soldiers from the353rd, 535th, 352nd and 345th light infantry battalions, operating under the 15military operations command (MOC-15), detained 33 individuals from Nga KyaingTauk Muslim village, 55 from Tat Ma Chaung Muslim village, 13 from Pu ZunChaung Muslim village, 40 from Let Wae Tat Ywar Thit and Let Wae Tat Ywar Haungvillages and 10 from Kyaukphyu Taung village.

According to a military source, the villagers havebeen  training in the 352nd, 353rd and 345th battalions since 20 February.

Many youths have fled from their places in fear ofdetention.

A Muslim village elder alleged that the junta forcesafter facing defeats in many battles started abducting Muslims to enrol in themilitary services. It’s a violation of human rights and evil intention toincite misunderstanding between the Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim residents.

"We want to live in peace. The soldiers are nowarresting both youths and senior people and putting them in front of Rakhineresidents,” he added.

On 9 February at number 5 border guard policebattalion in Myo Thu Gyi village under Maungdaw township, division commanderThurein Tun and district administrator Nay Oo held a meeting with Mawlawi(Muslim religious scholars) and advised them to  cooperate with themilitary junta.

They also offered to supply arms to Muslims so thatthey could fight against the Rakhine people, which was rejected. The Muslimsbelieve that the junta forces start abducting their youths to compel them tojoin the military service.

The junta also obtained a list of internally displacedpersons (precisely males aged 18 to 55)  from Kyauk Ta Lone Muslim camp inKyaukphyu township and forcefully enrolled 150 individuals into the militaryservice.