The Arakan Army (AA) has released over 300 military council prisoners of war (POWs) and their family members to commemorate the one-year anniversary of capturing Buthidaung town in Rakhine State. Throughout 2025, the AA has released a total of 1,023 POWs. The AA stated that they are only releasing those POWs and family members who are eligible for release from among those captured. In early February, 116 POWs and family members were released, followed by another 198 in the third week of the same month. Among those released were one deputy police colonel from the military council, 147 women, and 51 men.
On April 13, the AA released 170 POWs and family members who were captured during the Mrauk-U battles, and on May 16, an additional 225 were freed. On May 18, the AA released 314 POWs and family members who were captured during the Buthidaung town offensive. Throughout the Rakhine State conflict, the AA has captured thousands of military council soldiers and their family members, with over 1,000 now having been released. However, on January 19, a military council airstrike on a POW camp in the Ramchaung area of Mrauk-U Township resulted in the death of 28 POWs and left many others injured.
The systematic release of POWs by the AA demonstrates their adherence to humanitarian principles while maintaining their military objectives in the conflict. The releases have been conducted in phases, with careful consideration given to the status of each prisoner and their family members. The AA continues to hold a significant number of military council personnel and their families, though they have shown willingness to release those deemed eligible. The tragic incident of the military council’s airstrike on the POW camp, resulting in casualties among detained personnel, highlights the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, particularly the military council’s disregard for international humanitarian law and the safety of prisoners of war.
