Arakan Army Denies Involvement in Killing of Five Rohingya in Myanmar's Rakhine State

Five Rohingya Muslims were found dead in Maungdaw township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, near the Bangladesh border. The victims were arrested by the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority insurgent group, on April 17, 2024. The Arakan Army has denied killing the men, stating that various insurgent groups and drug gangs operate in the complex region and that people opposed to the Arakan Army could be trying to damage its reputation.

The families of the victims were not allowed to collect the bodies. The incident occurred amid a surge in fighting between the Arakan Army and junta forces, which has forced many Rohingya to move into poorly equipped camps and affected travel and security in the state.

In response to a statement by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, the Arakan Army disputed parts of the statement. The group called for an explanation of the term 'multiple actors' in Rakhine State, noting that while clashes have taken place between the AA and the junta military, the commissioner should also mention the role of Muslim extremist groups like ARSA, ARA, and RSO, who have re-emerged and are targeting civilians, including non-Muslims. The AA claimed that the majority of casualties and internally displaced people are Arakanese and other non-Muslim ethnic groups.

The Arakan Army also refuted the commissioner's statement about the Rohingya being targeted by two armed factions, asserting that the Myanmar military is a terrorist group that has committed atrocities against Arakanese and Muslims alike, while the AA has been established to protect all people in Rakhine, including Muslims, and has never intentionally killed Muslim civilians.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in Rakhine State has led to widespread displacement and human rights abuses, with various armed groups and the Myanmar military accused of targeting civilians. The situation highlights the complex dynamics and challenges in achieving peace and stability in the region.

The Arakan Army further disputed claims that the military forced Rohingya recruits or villagers to burn ethnic Rakhine homes and villages, with the Rakhine villagers responding in kind. Instead, the group stated that Muslim extremist groups have launched arson attacks on Arakanese houses and villages. The AA also criticized the commissioner's statement about disinformation and propaganda, emphasizing that the current situation differs from the communal violence in 2012 and 2017, which they claim were instigated by the Myanmar military.

Key Takeaways

• 5 Rohingya Muslims found dead in Rakhine, Myanmar near Bangladesh border.
• Arakan Army denies killing the men, claims other insurgent groups and drug gangs operate in the region.
• Ongoing conflict in Rakhine has led to widespread displacement and human rights abuses by various armed groups.
• Arakan Army disputes UN claims, says military is a terrorist group that has committed atrocities against all groups.
• Arakan Army claims Muslim extremist groups, not the military, have launched arson attacks on Arakanese houses and villages.