New Rohingya Displacement and Atrocities: The Ongoing Genocide and Humanitarian Crisis in Rakhine State

By Mohammed Siraj,

In 2024, the Rohingya in Rakhine State of Myanmar faced brutal violence, displacement, and massacre once again, recognized as decades of systemic genocide and ethnic cleansing. On August 5th, 2024, a drone attack in Maungdaw Township near Naf river that carried out by Arakan Army reportedly killed over 200 Rohingya in a single day. That was a deliberate mass killing that has forced thousands of Rohingya to flee across the Naf River into refugee camps of Bangladesh such as Kutupalong and Balukhali (Human Rights Watch, 2024). These atrocities did not occur in isolation but longstanding institutionalized discrimination that combined historical human rights violation and systematic genocide against the Rohingya population, has laid the groundwork for such crises (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2017). The continuous fighting between the Myanmar Military Council and the Arakan Army has forced Thousands of Rohingya had to flee to Bangladesh in 2024.  

The Arakan Army involvement in the conflict has been systematically documented and many human rights organizations accused them of carrying out operations that blur the lines between counterinsurgency and violations of international humanitarian law (OHCHR, 2024; Human Rights Watch, 2024). Within 2024, the Arakan Army killed 2400 Rohingya in Buthidaung and more than 500 in Maungdaw and raped approximately 1000 Rohingya women. International agencies including the United Nations and various human rights actors that have been repeatedly calling for independent investigations into these attacks, focusing on that the indiscriminate use of drones and heavy artillery against civilians constitutes a gross violation of international law (United Nations, 2024). 

• Personal testimonies from survivors on the ground reveal the intense suffering and profound loss caused by this unrelenting conflict.The experiences of a new arrival namely Shomsul Zuhar, a Rohingya teenager forced to flee his home in Arakan, disclose the unwanted loss of family, livelihood, and all the belonging that continues to worry him and all  the displaced Rohingya people.

Shomsul Zuhar is a 17-year-old grade 12 student from Shwe Za village, Maungdaw, in Rakhine State (now Rakhine State) of Myanmar. He has six members in his family. His father passed away in Refugee Camp 7, just 13 days after arriving from Myanmar. Shomsul and his family reached Bangladesh on 3rd September 2024, and his father died on 16th September 2024. The cause of his father’s death was shock due to the loss of his property, shop, business, and cattle, all of which were left behind in Maungdaw.

Shomsul Zuhar recounted:

“My family and I fled Myanmar to Bangladesh because the Arakan Army (AA) forced us to leave our home. We were also afraid after witnessing other people being killed and arrested by the military council and AA. As both groups even called us to join them in fighting.” Shomsul Zuhar’s personal testimony is just one the of many that reveal the brutal reality of persecution faced by the Rohingya people in Rakhine State. The Arakan Army forced them out of their homes and his family had no choice except fleeing to Bangladesh. They were witnessing people being killed, arrested, and forcibly recruited by both the AA and the Military Council left them traumatized and frightened. Their suffering is not just a consequences of war but an intentional act of persecution, driven by a collective ideology to annihilate the entire Rohingya community from the soil of Arakan land.

The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) has raised serious concern over the increasing violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar, especially the Arakan Army’s (AA) brutal actions against the Rohingya population. In May 2024, UNOG reported that AA attacks on Rohingya villages, including the use of drones and artillery, have caused numerous civilian deaths and forced thousands to flee. UNOG called for an immediate end to the hostilities and urged all sides to follow international humanitarian law to protect civilians (UNOG, 2024). Additionally, UNOG stressed the urgent need for international aid to address the growing humanitarian crisis, including food shortages, lack of medical care, and widespread displacement. They called on the global community to assist the affected populations and hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable (UNOG, 2024).

• Furthermore, serious concerns have been raised by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) about the increasing violence in Rakhine State, particularly involving the Arakan Army (AA) and its impact on the Rohingya population. In April 2024, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that the continued conflicts between the military and the AA, along with increasing ethnic tensions, constitute a significant threat to civilians (OHCHR, 2024). The UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) also reported in July 2024 that intense fighting in Buthidaung Township has resulted in the displacement of thousands of people, especially from the Rohingya community, and caused substantial destruction (IIMM, 2024). The UNHRC has continued to urge all parties involved in the conflict to follow international humanitarian law and protect civilian lives.

 Additionally, Fortify Rights has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Arakan Army (AA) for possible war crimes, including mass killings, and sexual violence against the Rohingya people (Fortify Rights, 2024).

Shomsul further stated,

“Both the AA and the military council pretend to be fighting each other, but their true intention is to eliminate the Rohingya from Arakan as stated many Rohingya activists and leaders. Both groups are killing Rohingya and attacking Rohingya villages. We had to relocate from village to village. We suffered immensely for five months. Two members of the neighboring family, Nur Kamal and Barnni, were killed, and Younus was injured. The remaining members of their family also fled to Bangladesh.”

His account prove the dehumanization faced by the Rohingya people and deceptive nature of the war between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Military Council. Whereas both groups claim to be at war but their actions show a shared purpose of erasing the Rohingya community from Arakan State. The deliberate killing of Rohingya civilians, the destruction of their villages, and the continuous persecution make it clear that this is not a conventional conflict but a calculated campaign of ethnic cleansing.

• He continued stated “We were very afraid of destructive drone attacks because a drone bomb fell in my backyard. We could not go outside, nor could we buy anything to eat, so we had to stay hungry. We suffered so much; I cannot even express them with words. We had no place to sleep, no food to eat, and our phones were confiscated by the AA. We were constantly living in fear of death.”

His words show an overall situation of the daily reality faced by the Rohingya in Arakan State. The Rohingya live under drone attacks, trapped without food, shelter, or even the ability to communicate, they were left completely helpless. Their suffering is not just a consequence of war but it is a coordinated effort to exterminate them. No human being should have to suffer such fear and starvation.

He said that they had been very worried, but in order to save their lives, they had to make a tough and unimaginable decision. He also mentioned that they had been crying as they left their village. He stated that the Arakan Army (AA) had forced them to flee Myanmar and that it was the only reason they had crossed the Naf River and come to Bangladesh. He explained that their small boat had a hole in the bottom and was about to sink. He  added that their cousin’s entire family, consisting of seven members, had already drowned in the Naf River before. He also said that they had been close to drowning and had faced many challenges during the Naf river crossing.

He continued:

“While crossing the river, the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGP) forced us to turn back, and my brother-in-law, Nur Kamal, was arrested. We were pushed back to Red Island (Laldiya). However, we eventually entered Bangladesh secretly.”

His statement clearly point out the difficulties faced by the new Rohingya refugees. While the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGP) had to enforce border regulations, the release of Nur Kamal shows that there is some level of consideration for individual cases. This point out that Bangladesh is not acting with complete rigidity but is trying to manage a complex humanitarian crisis while maintaining border security.

• The pushback to Red Island (Laldiya) raises concerns about the safety of refugees in uncertain and risky conditions. However, it is also important to recognize that Bangladesh has taken in over one million Rohingya refugees, despite its own economic and social challenges. The country has shown recognizable generosity and compassion in providing shelter to those Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution, even without formal international obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

The Rohingya war refugees eventually entered Bangladesh speaks to both their determination to survive and the practical realities of border enforcement. Instead of viewing this as a security issue alone, there is an opportunity for Bangladesh and the international community to work together to find long-term solutions. By strengthening diplomatic efforts and humanitarian partnerships, a balance can be achieved where refugees receive protection, and host communities receive the support they need. Bangladesh’s role in this crisis should not be seen just as an enforcer of border laws but as a key player in shaping a more humane and sustainable response to forced displacement.

Describing their current hardships, he said that their lives were filled with sadness and that he could not find the right words to explain their suffering. He expressed that he did not feel well in the camp and that they had not received any support or assistance from any organization. He mentioned that they were in urgent need of food, clothes, cooking pots, and other essential items, as they had left everything behind in Maungdaw.

Currently, Shomsul and his family are staying in Kutupalong Camp 7 at his brother-in-law’s or sister’s shelter. He stated that they were surviving solely on the food provided by his brother-in-law, as they had nothing else. He added that he wanted to continue his studies, but as a new arrival, he was unfamiliar with the camp’s system and was searching for a school where he could resume his education.

Shomsul recounts the painful journey his family faced while fleeing Myanmar, where they faced violence, threats, and continuous fear of drone attacks. The AA forced them to abandon their home, and the family encountered five months of suffering before making the dangerous crossing to Bangladesh. Tragically, Shomsul’s father died just 13 days after their arrival, overwhelmed by the loss of property and livelihood left behind in Maungdaw. Now living in a relative’s shelter in Kutupalong Camp 7, Shomsul struggles to find resources and hopes to continue his education in the unfamiliar refugee camp environment.

Shomsul’s horrible journey is a clear example of the struggles that newly arrived Rohingya refugees face. With no food, clothing, or basic necessities, survival becomes their biggest challenge. Humanitarian organizations must step up their efforts to provide urgent support, ensuring that refugees, especially new arrivals, receive the assistance they desperately need. Many are not familiar of the available resources, so outreach programs should be expanded to reach those who are struggling in silence.

• Education is another most important priority. Refugee children and youth like Shomsul should have access to schools and learning materials so they can continue their studies. International organizations, human rights groups, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should work with the Bangladesh government to create more opportunities for refugee higher education. Without this, an entire generation future is very dark and uncertain.

The international community and human rights organizations also have a responsibility to do more. They must provide stronger financial support, advocate for refugee rights, and push for long-term solutions. This includes opening pathway for higher education, improving legal protections, and ensuring continued humanitarian aid. Without a global coordinated effort, thousands of newly arrived refugees and previous refugees will continue to live in uncertainty, struggling for basic survival. Protecting the dignity and rights of the Rohingya refugees must be a shared responsibility, not just a local issue. 

References

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United Nations. (2024). Secretary-General calls on Myanmar to end Rohingya violence. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/113xxxxx

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UNOG. (2024). UN warns of rise in violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine, US and EU respond. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/un-warns-upsurge-violence-myanmars-rakhine-2024-05-24/

UNOG. (2024). UN Details ‘Disturbing’ New Atrocities Against Myanmar’s Rohingya. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/un-details-disturbing-new-atrocities-against-myanmars-rohingya/  

OHCHR. (2024). Myanmar: UN High Commissioner warns of rising tensions in Rakhine State. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/04/myanmar-turk-sounds-alarm-amid-rising-tensions-rakhine

IIMM. (2024). IIMM Statement on escalation of conflict in Rakhine State. Retrieved from https://iimm.un.org/en/statement-escalation-conflict-rakhine-state-myanmar

By: Mohammed Siraj