Arakkha Government Returns 13-Year-Old Voluntary Enlistee to Parents

News ၊ September 1, 2026

In Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, a 13-year-old Grade 6 student who voluntarily entered the Arakan Army (AA) to perform military service despite being underage was handed back to his parents today, September 1.

The youth had arrived at the Arakan Army to join military service on the morning of August 22. Because he was underage, the Arakan Army temporarily took him into care before returning him to his parent and relatives today.

The minor is 13-year-old Maung Min Khant, son of the late U Thein Aung Che and Daw Hla Hla Win (aka Ngal Ngal), residents of Pauk Taw Pin Village in Mrauk-U Township.

"His father passed away last year, and his mother struggles to make ends meet on her own. There are five children in the family, four of whom are attending school, so they couldn't cover all the expenses. He joined thinking that things would get easier if he entered the military," the boy's aunt told.

An official from the Mrauk-U Township Party explained that the Arakan Army does not accept underage youth, students, individuals with poor health, or pregnant mothers for military service.

Meanwhile, military commission lobbies, Muslim extremist groups, and anti-AA factions have been spreading propaganda claiming that the Arakan Army forcibly recruits underage children and pregnant mothers for military service.

"I am extremely grateful to the Arakan Army for returning my son. I will continue supporting him so he becomes an educated person. Only after he completes his education will I let him join if he still wishes to. I am also very glad that they do not accept children who are still so young," the boy's mother, Daw Hla Hla Win, told.

Earlier on August 19, the Arakan Army also returned 16-year-old Maung Nay Lin Aung, son of U Aung Hla Zan from Pyin Zay Ward in Mrauk-U Township, back to his parents after he had similarly arrived to enlist while being underage.

Source@ABN