Narinjara, 19 May, 2025 

On May 18, the Arakan Army (AA) freed 314 families of captured soldiers from Buthidaung Township in northern Rakhine State. 

An AA official stated that they were freed during a ceremony in Buthidaung Township and handed over to their families. 

On May 16, following the release of 225 prisoners of war and their families from Minbya Township, an additional 314 families of prisoners of war from Buthidaung Township were freed. 

A source stated, “They are the relatives of the war prisoners. They are the mothers, the offspring, and the guardians of the inmates. That's what we observe. The captives are excluded.” 

The relatives of prisoners of war who were freed consist of 314 individuals from 107 families who were captured during the Battle of Buthidaung. 

In response to the release, U Pe Than, a senior political analyst and former Myebon Township member of parliament in the Pyithu Hluttaw, stated, “They are the fathers, spouses, and offspring of the captured soldiers. They were kept in custody for a duration. It is beneficial to let them go when a circumstance occurs. It is beneficial to free them so they can progress in their lives and restore their families." 

The announcement regarding the release of families of prisoners of war was made on May 18, 2024, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Battle of Buthidaung, which was ultimately taken on May 18, 2024. 

Concerning the release, Ko Aung Lwin, a member of the central committee of the Rakhine Association (Korea), stated, “We are pleased that the liberation of captured soldiers aligns with human rights and the principles of ULA/AA. We embrace it." 

Those released today are individuals who were apprehended during the AA's assault and seizure of the 15th Battalion of the 15th Infantry Regiment and the 551st Infantry Regiment in Buthidaung. 

On May 16, the AA freed 225 prisoners of war along with their families who had been taken captive during the Minbya battle. 

On April 13, just before Thingyan, the AA freed 170 prisoners of war along with their families who had been taken during the conflict in Minbya. 

During the first week of February, the AA freed 116 family members of war prisoners and 26 civilians who were in the custody of the AA.