Arakan Rohingya Army

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Arakan Rohingya Army
LeadersNabi Hossain[1] [2]
Abdullah Kane[3]
Dates of operation2020 (2020)–present[4]
Active regionsNorthern Rakhine State
Bangladesh–Myanmar border
Ideology
OpponentsState opponents:
 Myanmar  Bangladesh
Non-state opponents:
Arakan Army
Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army
Battles and warsRohingya conflict

The Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) is an ethnic Rohingya militia founded by Nabi Hossain and Abdullah Kane.[5]

Formation[edit]

Formed 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[edit]

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.[2]

On 6 February 2024 the Arakan Army and the RSO cooperated on a joint assault against ARA, who had captured a BGP 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]

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ A New Dimension to Armed Conflicts in Arakan?. Transnational Institute. September 20, 2023. Naing Lin Archived April 23, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b Rohingya rights: New armed group ARA emerges in Rakhine. September 6, 2020. Dhaka Tribune.
  5. ^ Competing armed groups pose new threat to Rohingya in Bangladesh International Institute for Strategic Studies. December 11, 2023
  6. ^ Rohingya Armed Groups Active Again in Western Myanmar. September 20, 2021. The Irrawaddy. Archived September 27, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Gang-related crimes rampant in Rohingya camps. Bangla Tribune. August 26, 2019. Nuruzzaman Labu Archived August 26, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Case filed against 23 armed Myanmar nationals who fled to Bangladesh. Dhaka Tribune. February 9, 2024.
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ Rohingya Forced to Fight Alongside Myanmar Army Tormentors. Agence France-Presse. May 29, 2024. Archived May 29, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ 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