Rohingya militant groups recruit from camps to fight Arakan Army, warns Crisis Group

Rohingya militant groups are actively recruiting fighters from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to join the conflict against the Arakan Army in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, according to a new report released today by the International Crisis Group.

Titled “Bangladesh/Myanmar: The Dangers of a Rohingya Insurgency,” the report warns that escalating militant activity could destabilize both humanitarian efforts and regional diplomacy, particularly as the Arakan Army tightens its control over the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

Following the Arakan Army’s military success in Rakhine, several Rohingya armed factions have set aside their rivalries and united to fight what they see as a common enemy. This has temporarily reduced inter-group violence in the camps but has also led to increased recruitment drives. A turning point came in December 2024, when these groups held a mass gathering in the camps, urging a “jihad” to reclaim northern Rakhine.

The report highlights that the Myanmar military’s attempts to conscript Rohingya men in early 2024 largely failed. However, frustration over continued persecution and perceived opportunities for justice have driven some to align with the insurgents.

Bangladesh’s security agencies, which have long-standing ties with both Rohingya groups and the Arakan Army, have reportedly tolerated this militant alignment, hoping to contain unrest in the camps. But the Crisis Group cautions that such tacit support could backfire, especially as the Arakan Army is now seen by many in Myanmar as a legitimate opposition force against the junta.

The report warns that Rohingya involvement in armed conflict against the Arakan Army could erode public sympathy in Myanmar, intensify anti-Rohingya sentiment, and weaken the long-term prospects for repatriation and citizenship.