Uprooted by War: A Rohingya Elder’s Struggle for Survival Amid Genocide

By,

Mohammed Siraj

This report documents the painful experience of 66-year-old Abdu Somot, a recent arrival from Rakhine State (formerly Arakan State) of Myanmar. He fled due to intense violence between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar military. Abdu Somot’s account shows the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State.

Abdu Somot is originally from Atiliya village (also known as Natidal) in Northern Maungdaw. He lived with his 10-family members, working in farming and the betel leaf trade. He and his family lived a peaceful life before the conflict worsened. Abdu explained, “I fled Myanmar recently due to destructive drone attacks from the Arakan Army and the Military Council. The situation is the same as the 2017 genocide. AA fires guns like pouring rain.” He witnessed many villagers being killed by the AA and young people being arrested arbitrarily. However, he did not lose any family members.

One of the major incidents that pushed him to flee was the forced conscription of his 16-year-old grandson, Anowar, by the Myanmar military. Anowar escaped after being sent to the battlefield without training. The military threatened to imprison his parents if they did not return him, while the AA also sought to arrest him, accusing him of military connections.

Abdu explained how difficult life became: “We couldn’t go to the market to buy food and other essentials. AA attacks on military camps and the military’s response put us in the middle of the violence. AA took ambush positions in Rohingya villages.”

He described witnessing the killing of many people by AA in villages such as Maungdaw, Noya Fara, Ataliya, and Shiddar Fara. At the same time, military airstrikes killed Rohingya civilians, leaving many to die of starvation. His house was destroyed by military airstrikes, forcing him and his family to relocate multiple times in search of safety. Drone attacks also killed their cattle and destroyed other houses. Abdu recalled, “Our feet were swollen from moving between villages, and we suffered a lot. We even sought refuge in a mosque, but one AA drone attack near the mosque killed an elderly man who took refuge with us.”

Leaving his homeland was a painful experience. “I cried loudly, asking how I could leave my motherland, Maungdaw, and my home, cattle, and property. Where are we going now? Where will we live?” Abdu cried loudly during the interview, recalling the destruction of his home and the constant drone attacks. Without getting any other options, he hardly made the decision to flee to Bangladesh.

On August 23, 2024, the UN Geneva spoke out about the atrocities committed by both the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military against Rohingya unarmed civilians.  UN Geneva stated that UN Human Rights had documented severe human rights violations and abuses, including extrajudicial killings, beheadings, abductions, forced recruitment, indiscriminate drone and artillery bombardments of towns and Rohingya villages, and arson attacks. Their Facebook page post indicated that the Arakan Army, which now controls most townships in Rakhine State, was fully involved in these serious human rights violations and atrocities.

On August 27, 2024, Fortify Rights called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Arakan Army (AA) for massacring Rohingya civilians near the Naf River in Rakhine State on August 5 and 6, 2024. Their findings confirmed that the AA carried out indiscriminate attacks, leading to mass displacement in Maungdaw Township and the killing of many Rohingya, including children. Since the ICC already holds jurisdiction over crimes such as genocide and forced displacement of the Rohingya, these recent atrocities could be incorporated into its ongoing investigation. Fortify Rights stressed the need for accountability, urging that AA leaders, including Major General Twan Mrat Naing, face justice for their heinous actions against the Rohingya population.

The journey to Bangladesh was fraught with danger. Abdu and his family had to walk cautiously as fighting was everywhere. They crossed the Naf River in a small boat amid strong winds and heavy rain. Abdu remembers calling out, “Oh Allah, save us,” as the boat almost capsized. Though they safely crossed the river, they lost what little belongings they had taken like clothes. After crossing into Bangladesh, they took refuge for two days in a house in Teknaf. Abdu then called his son, who was already living in Kutupalong camp, and they were reunited there.

Abdu finds life in the camp difficult. “I cannot explain how I am feeling because it’s deep trauma inside me. I feel very sad. I left everything in Maungdaw. I am not feeling well here in the refugee camp, but I must stay to save our lives. My heart still cries for my native Maungdaw.”

Abdu and his family receive, humanitarian assistance and financial support from NGOs or the Bangladesh government. His family of 10, including six males and four females, struggles to survive. He said, “We are in need of humanitarian assistance. I have no money now.” He has been going door-to-door in the refugee camp, collecting rice and oil to support his family. His sons, Mohammed Juhar and Jaber, also provide some rations to help.

Abdu Somot’s story reflects the hardships faced by new arrivals fleeing relentless violence and second wave of genocide in Myanmar. His account shows the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the Rohingya community. Though he and his family have reached safety in Bangladesh, their survival depends on urgent humanitarian assistance, which remains scarce in the overcrowded camps.

Many organizations that work for human rights have spoken out against the Arakan Army (AA) for committing war crimes and crimes against civilians in Rakhine State of Myanmar. These human rights Advocacy organizations have reported about the violence and called for action to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The report that Human Rights Watch (HRW) published is describing that both the Myanmar military Council and the Arakan Army were responsible for attacks on civilians in August 2024. Their documentations and findings proved that both groups carried out mass killings and burned down homes, targeting Rohingya, Rakhine, and other communities. Many people deaths and forced people to flee their homes due to these violence and persecution. International community is being urged to intervene and protect civilians from further persecution and indiscriminate attack by HRW.

Fortify Rights also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate war crimes committed on January 23, 2025 by the Arakan Army. They released a video showing AA troops are torturing and killing prisoners. Fortify Rights presented this as evidence of war crimes and urged justice for the victims.

Fortify Rights, HRW and UN Geneva continue to demand justice and accountability for the crimes and atrocities that perpetrated in Rakhine State by Arakan Army. They urge the international community action to prevent further violence and ensure that those responsible must be held accountable.

• Abdu Somot’s picture was taken by interviewer Mohammed Siraj