History of Myanmar's Rohingya Army | Halek Hossain

 

History of Myanmar's Rohingya Army

The Rohingya Army is a relatively new armed group in Myanmar, which emerged in response to persecution of the Rohingya population, a Muslim ethnic minority in Myanmar. Here is a brief history of the group:

Persecution of Rohingya: Rohingya have faced discrimination and persecution in Myanmar for decades. They have been denied citizenship, subjected to violence and forcibly displaced and imprisoned in restrictive camps. In 2017, Myanmar's military launched a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya, killing thousands and forcing more than 700,000 to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.

Formation of Rohingya armies: In response to violence and persecution, some Rohingya have formed armed groups to protect themselves and their communities. The Rohingya Army emerged as a new group in 2018, claiming to be fighting for the rights of the Rohingya people.

Alleged attacks: Since its formation, the Rohingya army has been blamed for ambushes and bombings of Myanmar security forces. The group has claimed responsibility for some of these attacks, denying involvement in others.

Designation as a terrorist group: In 2019, the Myanmar government designated the Rohingya Army as a terrorist group along with several other Rohingya groups. The designation makes it illegal to support or have anything to do with the group, and the government is cracking down on suspected members and sympathizers.

International investigation: The Rohingya army and other Rohingya groups have been criticized by some international human rights groups for their alleged involvement in attacks and violence. However, many others argue that the rise of the group is a result of persecution and violence against the Rohingya, and that the Myanmar government and military must address the root causes of the conflict.