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Arab News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Hopelessness threatens to push Rohingya toward militancy
Last month's arrest of Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, was heralded by some as a blow to Rohingya militancy. Yet, far from quelling unrest, this development may be igniting a new wave of radicalization among the Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar. As hope dwindles amid worsening conditions — abandonment by former allies, slashed humanitarian aid and unrelenting statelessness — extremist groups are poised to exploit this despair, filling the void left by a fractured resistance. The history of Rohingya militancy, rooted in decades of oppression, suggests that such desperation could fuel a violent resurgence, with transnational actors like Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Taiba potentially stepping in to capitalize on the chaos. The Rohingya's struggle is a saga of marginalization spanning generations. Denied citizenship under Myanmar's 1982 Citizenship Law, they have been systematically stripped of rights and relegated to statelessness in their own homeland, Rakhine State. The military's brutal campaigns, most notably the 2017 'clearance operations' that killed thousands and displaced more than 700,000 to Bangladesh, were labeled by the UN as a 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing.' This violence birthed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, a militant group formed in 2016 under Ataullah's leadership. Unlike the sophisticated insurgencies of Myanmar's ethnic armed organizations, its attacks — such as the 2017 assaults on security posts — were crude, often relying on makeshift weapons. But they provoked a disproportionate military response, amplifying the Rohingya's plight. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army's emergence was less about ideology and more about survival — a desperate retort to decades of persecution. Earlier Rohingya resistance, like the Rohingya Solidarity Organization in the 1980s, had similarly sought to counter military oppression but lacked the cohesion or resources to sustain a movement. This group, though limited in scope, gave voice to a community with few options, its militancy a symptom of abandonment by both Myanmar's government and the international community. Ataullah's arrest might have been expected to weaken the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, but it has instead exposed the fragility of the Rohingya's situation, driving many toward militancy as a last resort. Several converging factors are eroding what little hope remains. First, the civil war in Myanmar, sparked by the 2021 military coup, has turned even potential allies against them. The Arakan Army, a powerful Rakhine Buddhist rebel group fighting the junta, was once seen as a possible partner in resisting military tyranny. However, it has increasingly targeted Rohingya villages, forcibly recruiting men and boys or displacing entire communities, as reported by The Independent. This betrayal underscores a bitter truth: even those opposing the junta do not recognize the Rohingya as legitimate citizens of Myanmar. Second, the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar camps, home to more than a million Rohingya refugees, has worsened. The World Food Program recently announced plans to cut food rations by more than half due to funding shortages, a move activists warn will plunge an already vulnerable population into malnutrition and despair. For refugees like Mohammed Ayas, a 25-year-old father interviewed by The Independent, the camps offer no future — just a limbo of deprivation. His decision to join a rebel group training in Myanmar reflects a growing sentiment: when survival is at stake, violence becomes a viable option. Finally, the international community's waning attention has left the Rohingya isolated. Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza dominate headlines, while Myanmar's crisis fades from view. Aung San Suu Kyi, once a beacon of hope, remains imprisoned, her past silence on the Rohingya genocide now irrelevant. With no political solution in sight and repatriation talks stalled, the Rohingya see little prospect of reclaiming their homeland or dignity. In this vacuum of hope, militancy gains traction. The arrest of Ataullah has not dismantled the underlying grievances — land theft, massacres and statelessness — that fuel resistance. Instead, it has fragmented the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, creating space for new, potentially more radical factions to emerge. Young men like Ayas, who trained in Myanmar's jungles, articulate a clear goal: 'We want our motherland back, and we will fight for it.' This resolve, born of desperation, is ripe for exploitation. With no political solution in sight, the Rohingya see little prospect of reclaiming their homeland or dignity. Dr. Azeem Ibrahim Historically, when local resistance falters, transnational extremist groups step in. Lashkar-e-Taiba, notorious for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has a track record of inserting itself into Muslim struggles worldwide. In the 1990s, its operatives trained in Afghanistan and Kashmir, offering expertise to beleaguered communities. The Rohingya, with their statelessness and proximity to South Asia, present a similar opportunity. Reports of militant recruitment in Cox's Bazar, as detailed by The Independent, suggest that secretive commanders are already mobilizing refugees. If Lashkar-e-Taiba or other similar groups — drawn by shared religious identity or strategic interest — establish a foothold, the conflict could escalate beyond Myanmar's borders, destabilizing the region. The Rohingya's turn to militancy is not inevitable, but the conditions are aligning ominously. The Arakan Army's hostility ensures they have no allies within Myanmar, while the junta's forced conscription of Rohingya men — ironic given its history of genocide — only deepens their alienation. In the camps, ration cuts signal abandonment by the world, pushing refugees toward those offering action over inertia. Extremist groups thrive in such despair, promising empowerment through violence where diplomacy has failed. The Rohingya are not inherently militant, they are a people pushed to the brink. Restoring hope requires urgent action: pressuring Myanmar to grant citizenship, bolstering aid to avert starvation and mediating between the Arakan Army and Rohingya communities. Without these steps, the arrest of one leader will not end militancy — it will birth a hydra, with extremist groups ready to exploit the fallout. The world has ignored the cries of the Rohingya before, it cannot afford to do so again as desperation turns to violence and new actors enter the fray.
Arab News
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
What militant's arrest means for Rohingyas' future
The arrest by Bangladeshi police of Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, on the outskirts of Dhaka last week marks a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. Ataullah's capture raises critical questions about the future of Rohingya militancy, the shifting dynamics in Rakhine State and the prospects for stability in the region. Ataullah emerged in 2016-17 as the face of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, a militant group that claimed to defend the Rohingya people against the brutal persecution they faced at the hands of the Myanmar military. While he framed the group as a resistance movement, its activities often exacerbated the suffering of the Rohingya. His rhetoric and actions gained him support from disenfranchised youth seeking protection, while others viewed him as reckless and his actions as counterproductive. Ataullah's radicalization was influenced by the systemic discrimination and violence suffered by the Rohingya. He presented himself as a defender of the stateless minority, leveraging grievances to gain followers. However, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army's lack of sophisticated weaponry and training made it more symbolic than strategic in its operations. Despite its stated goals of protecting the Rohingya, its actions often invited disproportionate and devastating retaliation from the Myanmar military. Ataullah was captured in Bangladesh, where his group had been increasingly active in refugee camps. His arrest was the culmination of a long-standing crackdown on criminal networks and extremist groups operating in the camps. Bangladeshi authorities, facing mounting pressure to restore order, collaborated with intelligence agencies to apprehend him. While the details of his capture remain undisclosed, it is believed that Ataullah had been attempting to evade arrest by moving between various safe houses. This development has been welcomed by many who blamed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army for sowing insecurity within the Rohingya community. Incidents of extortion, targeted killings and forced recruitment attributed to the group have destabilized the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar. The arrest may lead to the dismantling of its operational network in Bangladesh, though ideological support for the group may persist. Its attacks on Myanmar border posts in 2016 and 2017 served as a pretext for the military's genocidal campaign against the Rohingya. The Tatmadaw, Myanmar's armed forces, unleashed a scorched-earth assault that forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. While the military framed its actions as a counterterrorism response, the overwhelming evidence of mass killings, sexual violence and village burnings revealed the true genocidal intent. Only through genuine political will and coordinated diplomatic efforts can the cycle of violence and persecution be broken. Dr. Azeem Ibrahim Human rights organizations and investigative bodies have consistently debunked the narrative that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army posed a significant security threat. However, the group's attacks, though limited in scope, were manipulated to justify the ethnic cleansing campaign. Ataullah's decision to launch these attacks proved catastrophic for his own people, resulting in one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. Ataullah's leadership polarized the Rohingya. Some saw him as a defender of their community, standing up against Myanmar's systematic persecution when no one else did. For others, particularly the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, his actions brought further suffering and retribution. Reports of its involvement in criminal activities, including extortion and targeted assassinations, further tarnished its reputation. While the group initially gained support among desperate Rohingya youths, its tactics soon alienated many. Community leaders accused it of undermining efforts for peaceful repatriation and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Ataullah's rigid leadership style and reluctance to engage in broader political advocacy also limited its influence. With Ataullah's arrest, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army's operational capacity is expected to diminish. However, the root causes of Rohingya militancy remain unresolved. The lack of citizenship, restricted movement and systemic discrimination continue to fuel resentment. Without a comprehensive political solution, the emergence of new militant factions cannot be ruled out. The Rohingya diaspora and the younger generation growing up in refugee camps have bleak prospects. Limited educational and economic opportunities, coupled with the trauma of genocide, create fertile ground for radicalization. Regional actors and international stakeholders must address these underlying grievances to prevent the resurgence of militant activity. Complicating the landscape further is the growing influence of the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine insurgent group that now controls much of Rakhine State. Unlike the Tatmadaw, the Arakan Army has expressed some willingness to negotiate with Rohingya communities. However, its ban on the use of the term 'Rohingya' underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving recognition and justice. The Arakan Army's territorial gains have reshaped the power dynamics in Rakhine State. With the Myanmar military weakened and distracted by conflicts elsewhere, it has consolidated control over key regions. The group's pragmatic approach to governance presents a potential opportunity for dialogue, but its long-term commitment to inclusive governance remains uncertain. The arrest of Ataullah offers an opportunity for regional and international actors to press for a more inclusive and sustainable resolution. Bangladesh, Myanmar's national unity government and the Arakan Army must engage in meaningful dialogue with Rohingya representatives to address grievances and ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees. International organizations must also expand their support for development initiatives within Rakhine State, creating alternative pathways for disenfranchised young people. Programs focusing on education, vocational training and reconciliation can mitigate the appeal of militancy and contribute to long-term stability. Ultimately, the fall of one militant leader does not resolve the deep-seated issues facing the Rohingya. Only through genuine political will and coordinated diplomatic efforts can the cycle of violence and persecution be broken, paving the way for a just and lasting peace in Myanmar.
Gulf Today
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Bangladesh arrests notorious Rohingya militant leader
A Rohingya militant leader who directed attacks against Myanmar security forces which precipitated a humanitarian catastrophe was arrested on Tuesday by police in Bangladesh. Ata Ullah, 48, first surfaced nearly a decade ago as the charismatic leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an outfit formed to wage an insurgency against the stateless Muslim minority's persecution in Myanmar. Their attacks on police posts in 2017 sparked brutal reprisals that eventually sent around 750,000 Rohingya fleeing for their lives into squalid relief camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. The leader was arrested alongside five associates by the elite Rapid Action Battalion force on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka, while another four of his associates were arrested in the central district of Mymensingh, police said. Ata Ullah was believed to have personally ordered the 2017 attacks and first came to public attention soon after in videos posted online, where he was seen flanked by masked gunmen and vowing to liberate the Rohingya from 'dehumanised oppression'. ARSA has been accused of killings, abductions, and torture in the refugee camps and the group's leader has been accused of ordering the murder of Rohingya civic leaders who dared to speak out against the group. He has also been accused of involvement in the murder of a Bangladeshi military intelligence officer. Tuesday's arrest came hours after a regional rights group said at least 65 Rohingya had been killed last year in clashes between rival militant groups competing for influence in Bangladeshi refugee camps. Ata Ullah's outfit, its chief rival the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation and other militant groups have for years waged a deadly battle for control of the camps. Fortify Rights documented 65 deaths last year along with dozens of assaults, abductions and acts of extortion blamed on 'militant and criminal groups' in the camps. The figure is down from 90 killings recorded in 2023 by the rights group. 'Rohingya armed groups are wreaking havoc in Bangladesh and Myanmar with near complete impunity,' the watchdog's director John Quinley told reporters in Dhaka at the launch of a new report into the violence. 'It's not only infighting that kills members of these militant outfits. Civilians are also victims.' The report called on Bangladesh's government to investigate the violence and hold perpetrators responsible, saying that some cases amounted to potential war crimes that warranted possible prosecution by international courts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh last week where he promised to do 'everything' possible to avoid looming cuts to humanitarian aid. Funding shortfalls announced by the UN food agency this month could lead to a cut in monthly food vouchers from $12.50 to $6.00 per person at the camps from April. Successive aid cuts have already caused immense hardship in the overcrowded settlements among Rohingya, who are reliant on aid and suffer from rampant malnutrition. Bangladesh has struggled for years to support its immense refugee population, and Dhaka has said it is exploring ways to secure additional aid for Rohingya refugees. On the other hand, India is resisting pleas by Bangladesh to resume issuing normal volumes of medical visas, citing staffing shortages amid worsening ties, six sources said, giving China rare space to expand similar offerings and build people-to-people ties. The bulk of India's visas for Bangladeshis in 2023 went to those seeking its affordable private healthcare and Bengali-speaking hospital staff, helping to cement ties between the neighbours and limit China's regional influence. 'When there is a vacuum, others will come and fill the space,' one of four Bangladesh sources, most of them diplomats, told Reuters. 'Some people are going to Thailand and China.' Since August, India has handed out fewer than 1,000 medical visas each working day, down from a figure of 5,000 to 7,000, said the sources, who all sought anonymity, citing their terms of employment. Agencies
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rohingya in Bangladesh pray for release of arrested insurgent leader
By Ruma Paul and Sudipto Ganguly DHAKA (Reuters) - Dozens of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh gathered to pray for the early release of a Rohingya insurgent leader arrested this week on charges of murder, illegal entry and militant activities. Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and some others were arrested on Tuesday during a raid near the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. An International Crisis Group report said Ataullah led ARSA's violent campaign in 2016 against Myanmar's security forces to reclaim the rights of Rohingya Muslims, who say they face persecution at the hands of Myanmar's Buddhist majority. ARSA attacks on border guard posts led to a military crackdown in Myanmar that prompted more than 750,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017. Videos shared by Rohingya Muslims living in refugee camps in southern Bangladesh showed men and women gathered at separate meetings to pray for Ataullah. A government official in Cox's Bazar, the Bangladeshi coastal city that hosts the world's largest refugee settlement, confirmed that the prayer meetings were held on Wednesday. "ARSA is the only group that has managed to put pressure on the Myanmar government," said Mohammed Taher, a Rohingya refugee. "Our voices and our plight have reached the world because of them. If they are working honestly for our cause, they should be allowed to continue." However, Taher said some people in the camps were happy with Ataullah's arrest because they believed it would improve law and order that has been eroded by factional violence there. Bangladeshi police said ARSA activities extend beyond insurgent operations, with some members allegedly involved in killings, kidnappings and smuggling within refugee camps in Bangladesh, where over a million Rohingya are sheltering. ARSA's presence in the camps has also led to violent infighting, with dozens of deaths resulting from clashes between ARSA militants and rival factions. Bangladesh says it is overburdened with the Rohingya and wants them repatriated. Myanmar's rulers view the Rohingya as foreign interlopers and have denied them citizenship, leaving little prospect of their repatriation from its South Asian neighbour. "To us, these people are notorious hoodlums. We (have) never believed they have any political foresight or political philosophy," said Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner based in Cox's Bazar. "We are confident that there will be improvement in law and order inside and outside the camps if we are able to combat them effectively. We are continuously working towards that."
Reuters
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Rohingya in Bangladesh pray for release of arrested insurgent leader
DHAKA, March 20 (Reuters) - Dozens of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh gathered to pray for the early release of a Rohingya insurgent leader arrested this week on charges of murder, illegal entry and militant activities. Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and some others were arrested on Tuesday during a raid near the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. An International Crisis Group report said Ataullah led ARSA's violent campaign in 2016 against Myanmar's security forces to reclaim the rights of Rohingya Muslims, who say they face persecution at the hands of Myanmar's Buddhist majority. ARSA attacks on border guard posts led to a military crackdown in Myanmar that prompted more than 750,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017. Videos shared by Rohingya Muslims living in refugee camps in southern Bangladesh showed men and women gathered at separate meetings to pray for Ataullah. A government official in Cox's Bazar, the Bangladeshi coastal city that hosts the world's largest refugee settlement, confirmed that the prayer meetings were held on Wednesday. "ARSA is the only group that has managed to put pressure on the Myanmar government," said Mohammed Taher, a Rohingya refugee. "Our voices and our plight have reached the world because of them. If they are working honestly for our cause, they should be allowed to continue." However, Taher said some people in the camps were happy with Ataullah's arrest because they believed it would improve law and order that has been eroded by factional violence there. Bangladeshi police said ARSA activities extend beyond insurgent operations, with some members allegedly involved in killings, kidnappings and smuggling within refugee camps in Bangladesh, where over a million Rohingya are sheltering. ARSA's presence in the camps has also led to violent infighting, with dozens of deaths resulting from clashes between ARSA militants and rival factions. Bangladesh says it is overburdened with the Rohingya and wants them repatriated. Myanmar's rulers view the Rohingya as foreign interlopers and have denied them citizenship, leaving little prospect of their repatriation from its South Asian neighbour. "To us, these people are notorious hoodlums. We (have) never believed they have any political foresight or political philosophy," said Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner based in Cox's Bazar. "We are confident that there will be improvement in law and order inside and outside the camps if we are able to combat them effectively. We are continuously working towards that."
