The Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) is an ethnic Rohingya insurgent group founded by Nabi Hossain and Abdullah Kane.[5]
| Arakan Rohingya Army | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the Arakan Rohingya Army | |
| Leaders | Nabi Hossain[1] [2] Abdullah Kane[3] |
| Dates of operation | 2020–present[4] |
| Active regions | Northern Rakhine State Bangladesh–Myanmar border |
| Ideology | |
| Opponents | State opponents: Myanmar
 BangladeshNon-state opponents:  Arakan Army Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army |
| Battles and wars | Rohingya conflict |
Formation
editFormed in September 2020, ARA claimed that its fighters were based in Rakhine State and that it promised equal rights for everyone.[4] Its leaders, Nabi Hossain and Abdullah Kane, are wanted by Bangladeshi authorities for drug smuggling and mafia-like activities.[6] [7][2][1] [8]
Conflict
editThe 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.[2]
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.[1] 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]
References
edit- ^ a b c Bangladeshis fret over unconfirmed return of Rohingya militant Nabi Hossain amid Myanmar conflict. February 9, 2024. Bdnews24.com. Archived February 28, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Is Nabi Hossain main perpetrator behind violence at Rohingya camp?. March 8, 2023. Prothom Alo. Archived March 9, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ A New Dimension to Armed Conflicts in Arakan?. Transnational Institute. September 20, 2023. Naing Lin Archived April 23, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Rohingya rights: New armed group ARA emerges in Rakhine. September 6, 2020. Dhaka Tribune.
- ^ Competing armed groups pose new threat to Rohingya in Bangladesh International Institute for Strategic Studies. December 11, 2023
- ^ Rohingya Armed Groups Active Again in Western Myanmar. September 20, 2021. The Irrawaddy. Archived September 27, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Gang-related crimes rampant in Rohingya camps. Bangla Tribune. August 26, 2019. Nuruzzaman Labu Archived August 26, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Case filed against 23 armed Myanmar nationals who fled to Bangladesh. Dhaka Tribune. February 9, 2024.
- ^ Myanmar Junta Using Rohingya Recruits to Sow Ethnic Hatred: Activists. Brian Wei. The Irrawaddy. April 19, 2024. Archived April 19, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rohingya Forced to Fight Alongside Myanmar Army Tormentors. Agence France-Presse. May 29, 2024. Archived May 29, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 194 organisations say Rohingya must no longer be exploited for military and political gain. Mizzima. May 23, 2024. Archived June 1, 2024, at the Wayback Machine