The Myanmar military has arrested a Muslim man from Myaungnarkam village in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, accusing him of having illegal ties to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), according to locals.

The arrestee, identified as Mahmoud Tawyoke, 47, was taken from his home for questioning on May 22, said a DMG source who asked for anonymity.

“Around 50 junta police and soldiers abducted Mahmoud Tawyoke from his home for questioning. They compiled a list of people who have [alleged] links with ARSA, so all villagers were worried about their safety,” the source added.

On the morning of May 23, regime troops also detained two Muslim men from Myaungnar village on suspicion of having ties to ARSA, but the two men were released in the evening.

Locals say the Myanmar military has been searching for individuals with links to ARSA in some Arakan State villages over recent days.

“It is not safe for us to work because the Myanmar military is conducting search operations in some villages,” said Phadu Armarn, a resident of Myaungnarkam village. “Another thing is that the Myanmar military is searching for people suspected of being involved in ARSA with their names, raising concerns that the names may be incorrect.”

About 50 junta soldiers have been stationed at a school in Bakonenar Ale village, Buthidaung Township, since three days ago, according to residents. And around 40 Myanmar military troops have been staying at a mosque in Kyein Chaung village, Maungdaw Township, for three days now, a local villager said.

“We don’t know what they are doing, but if they come and live in this village, we are concerned for our safety,” the unnamed Kyein Chaung villager added.

The military junta has not yet commented on any arrests made recently in connection with ARSA in northern Arakan State.

DMG attempts to contact Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the regime, and Colonel Kyaw Thura, Arakan State minister for Security and Border Affairs, to seek comment on the matter were unsuccessful.