Marc Simms is an occasional blogger for Proelium Law LLP. Marc holds a MLitt in Terrorism Studies and a Masters in International Relations, both from St Andrews. His particular interests are in emerging international security issues, unconventional warfare and terrorism.
Rohingya Crisis Deepens
The ongoing Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has taken a drastic turn for the worse in recent weeks. Conditions in Rakhine State – the province where the Rohingya population is mostly concentrated – have been deteriorating over the past year, with reports of extra-judicial killings, torture and other crimes against humanity being perpetrated by the Myanmar military under a media blackout which also prevented access to humanitarian aid agencies.
Arakhan Rohingya Salvation Army
On the 25th of August, armed fighters launched co-ordinated attacks on police stations and posts throughout the province, leading to armed clashes between these fighters and the security forces. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (hereafter ARSA) has claimed these attacks, stating that the Myanmar military suppression in the province had pushed the Rohingya to “all out war” that would continue until their rights were recognised.
ARSA appears to have formed as a response to the 2012 Rakhine State riots, often considered a starting point for the most recent iteration of the Rohingya crisis. Their first known attack was staged on military posts along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border last year, killing 9 border officers and 4 soldiers. However, aside from occasional raids by the Myanmar military, the group had been quiet until the August attacks, instead preferring to build its strength within Rakhine State.
The government has claimed that ARSA is linked to foreign terrorist organisations and may be partially funded by them, though given the Myanmar government’s stance that the Rohingya themselves are immigrants, this may be another way of attempting to de-legitimise the insurgents through reinforcement of existing propaganda, which refers to the Rohingya as “Bengalis”. The Rohingya cause is a prominent one, and has been praised by Al-Qaeda, Tehrik-i-Taliban and ISIS, though this does not mean much given that mainstream figures in the Muslim world have also called attention to the Rohingya crisis.
Somewhat more credibly, Malaysia’s counter-terrorism chief has raised concerns that the conflict could allow ISIS-linked militants in Malaysia and Indonesia to gain a foothold in the region, fears that were exacerbated by the arrest of an Indonesian militant attempting to enter the country in January.
“Indiscriminate killing” by security forces
Refugees fleeing the violence into Bangladesh are also telling of systematic acts of killing by the Myanmar military, adding a new and deeply concerning dynamic to the conflict. According to accounts by these refugees, the military indiscriminately killing all men of fighting age in the villages they enter. Multiple reports and satellite imagery also show evidence of villages being burned to the ground, though the Myanmar government has dismissed these claims, stating the villagers themselves destroyed their homes. According to Bangladeshi officials, the military has also placed landmines along border crossings, though the Myanmar military has claimed they have not laid any recently.
The violence has sent unprecedented numbers of refugees fleeing to Bangladesh, putting significant strain on the government and NGOs there. The UN estimates that up to 300,000 Rohingya could flee to the neighbouring country to escape the violence, and fears the possibility of ethnic cleansing.
Multiple nations, including Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, the USA and UK have spoken out against the actions of the Myanmar government. However, with Myanmar negotiating with China and Russia, as well as having the strong regional support of India, the country may avoid censure in the UN for the time being.
You can read Marc’s previous blog on ‘THE PLIGHT OF THE ROHINGYA‘ here
Need advice?
If you’d like further information, or to discuss working with us, you can get in touch via our Contact Us page
