Arakan Rohingya Army Explained
The Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) is an ethnic Rohingya insurgent group founded by Nabi Hossain and Abdullah Kane.[5]
Formation
Formed in September 2020, ARA claimed that its fighters were based in Rakhine State and that it promised equal rights for everyone.[1] Its leaders, Nabi Hossain and Abdullah Kane, are wanted by Bangladeshi authorities for drug smuggling and mafia-like activities.[6] [7] [3] [2] [8]
Conflict
The group started fighting against the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army after peace activist, Mohib Ullah, was allegedly killed by the latter group on 29 September 2021.[3]
On 6 February 2024 the Arakan Army and the RSO cooperated on a joint assault against ARA, who had captured a Border Guard Police camp along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border during the Rakhine Offensive.[2] During the month of April, ARSA and ARA reportedly fought with the Tatmadaw against AA in Buthidaung, where they burnt down homes and kidnapped civilians.[9] According to statements from both AA and Rohingya refugees, ARA forcibly recruits young men to fight with the Myanmar military.[10] [11]
Notes and References
- https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/222120/rohingya-rights-new-armed-group-ara-emerges-in Rohingya rights: New armed group ARA emerges in Rakhine
- https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/6vxbpgnzrl Bangladeshis fret over unconfirmed return of Rohingya militant Nabi Hossain amid Myanmar conflict
- https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/xih7742scd Is Nabi Hossain main perpetrator behind violence at Rohingya camp?
- https://www.tni.org/en/article/a-new-dimension-to-armed-conflicts-in-arakan A New Dimension to Armed Conflicts in Arakan?
- https://myanmar.iiss.org/analysis/rohingya Competing armed groups pose new threat to Rohingya in Bangladesh
- https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/rohingya-armed-groups-active-again-in-western-myanmar.html Rohingya Armed Groups Active Again in Western Myanmar
- https://en.banglatribune.com/others/news/68981/Gang-related-crimes-rampant-in-Rohingya-camps Gang-related crimes rampant in Rohingya camps
- https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/339023/case-file-against-23-myanmar-nationals-who-fled-to Case filed against 23 armed Myanmar nationals who fled to Bangladesh
- https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-using-rohingya-recruits-to-sow-ethnic-hatred-activists.html Myanmar Junta Using Rohingya Recruits to Sow Ethnic Hatred: Activists
- https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/rohingya-forced-to-fight-alongside-myanmar-army-tormentors.html Rohingya Forced to Fight Alongside Myanmar Army Tormentors
- https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/05/23/10174 194 organisations say Rohingya must no longer be exploited for military and political gain
Myanmar
Bangladesh