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Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – A growing number of Rohingya refugees are fleeing to Bangladesh to escape widespread persecution by the Arakan Army (AA) in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
The intensified violence has led to a significant influx of new arrivals in the already overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, with many claiming the AA’s brutality surpasses that of the Myanmar military.
At Balukhali’s Camp No. 5 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, recent arrivals from villages like Bura Sikdarpara in Maungdaw, Rakhine, narrate harrowing tales of violence. Since April, families have sought refuge here after enduring torture, arson, and forced displacement. Reports indicate that at least 60 people from Bura Sikdarpara were driven out through gunfire and torture after the AA took control of the area.
Mohammad Ali, a refugee, recounted how the AA set fire to every house in his village, forcing him to hide overnight before facing further torture. His wife added that the AA held them hostage before they managed to escape to Bangladesh after days in hiding. Other refugees echo similar stories, alleging the AA is taking young Rohingya men and women hostage, treating them like slaves, and forcing them into construction work or other labor.
A young Rohingya man claimed he was tortured by the AA, while a relative was abducted and raped. Another refugee reported that the AA is kidnapping teenagers and young adults, subjecting them to severe abuse if they resist.
Local sources estimate that over 113,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh since November 2023, with the highest influx recorded in May and June last year. Rohingya leaders claim more than 500 people arrive daily, overwhelming the camps, where newcomers are forced to share already cramped spaces.
A Rohingya leader warned of the AA’s alleged declaration that no Rohingya will be allowed to identify as such in Rakhine, signaling a potential escalation of ethnic cleansing. Additionally, the AA is reportedly exploiting Rohingya for drug and goods smuggling operations across the border.
Bangladesh’s security forces are on high alert to curb infiltration and smuggling. Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan of RAB-15 in Cox’s Bazar confirmed efforts to tackle cross-border smuggling, noting a resurgence of drug syndicates. Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman of BGB Battalion 2 in Teknaf emphasized that the Border Guard Bangladesh has established full control to mitigate the impact of Myanmar’s internal unrest on the border.
As the influx continues, concerns mount over how to accommodate and sustain the growing refugee population, with repatriation seeming increasingly distant. In Myanmar, villages continue to burn, and the AA’s involvement in drug trafficking further complicates the crisis.
AI/MR
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