A Battle Beyond Borders
The plight of the Rohingya refugees—once defined by statelessness and survival—has taken a dramatic turn toward militarization. Thousands from the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, have joined armed conflicts across the border in Myanmar, recruited to fight in the region’s multifaceted civil war. This development reflects the depth of despair among the Rohingya and the complex interplay of regional politics, international indifference, and a legacy of persecution. With poverty, violence, and hopelessness festering in the camps, the mobilization of these displaced people risks escalating an already volatile crisis with far-reaching implications.
The Militarization of Despair
In recent years, militant recruitment has surged in Cox’s Bazar, where over a million refugees live in dire conditions. Men like Rafiq, a 32-year-old who fought in Myanmar before returning injured, see armed struggle as the only viable path to reclaiming their homeland. “We need to fight to take back our lands,” Rafiq declared, echoing the sentiments of many who feel trapped between a history of genocide and a future devoid of opportunity.
Recruitment efforts are not incidental; they are systematic. Aid agency reports estimate that between 3,000 and 5,000 Rohingya have been drawn into the conflict, many lured by promises of money, citizenship, or ideological appeals. For some, these inducements resonate deeply, as generations of Rohingya have been denied basic rights, including citizenship, despite their ancestral ties to Myanmar.
An Uneasy Alliance
The recruits often find themselves entangled in Myanmar’s complex civil war, aligning with factions that once orchestrated their oppression. The junta, accused of committing atrocities against the Rohingya, now recruits them to fight the Arakan Army, an ethnic militia vying for control of Rakhine State. Fighters are offered weapons, training, and cash, but for many, the most alluring promise is a citizenship card.
This collaboration is fraught with contradictions. Some Rohingya fighters, like Abu Afna, grapple with the moral weight of aligning with the same forces that raped, killed, and displaced their families. But the Arakan Army, which claims to support the majority Buddhist Rakhine community, is also seen as an existential threat to the Rohingya, further complicating loyalties.
Regional Dynamics and Bangladesh’s Role
The militarization of Rohingya refugees is not happening in isolation. Bangladesh, overwhelmed by the burden of hosting a million refugees and grappling with domestic challenges, is increasingly adopting a pragmatic, if controversial, stance. Some Bangladeshi officials view armed struggle as the only path to repatriation, subtly encouraging militant efforts.
Yet, this approach is a double-edged sword. The proliferation of armed groups in and around the camps threatens Bangladesh’s internal security and complicates humanitarian efforts. With 30,000 children born each year in poverty-stricken camps, the risk of radicalization looms large.
A Vicious Cycle of Violence
Within the camps themselves, the rise of militant groups like the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has created an atmosphere of fear. Inter-faction violence, kidnappings, and assassinations are now common. Humanitarian organizations report record levels of violence, disrupting aid and leaving camp residents terrified.
The instability in Cox’s Bazar mirrors the intensifying conflict in Rakhine State, where Rohingya insurgents are locked in a gruelling battle against the Arakan Army. Despite their relative inexperience and inferior weaponry, the Rohingya fighters have managed to slow the Arakan Army’s offensive in strategic areas like Maungdaw, demonstrating the potency of their insurgency.
The Human Toll
Amid the chaos, ordinary Rohingya families continue to suffer. Those who fled to Bangladesh in search of safety now face a grim reality: an unending cycle of poverty, violence, and insecurity. In the camps, access to food, healthcare, and education is dwindling, while international aid shows signs of waning.
Sharit Ullah, a father of four, captured the despondency of many refugees: “We have nothing here. We live in fear.” His words reflect a growing sentiment among the Rohingya that they are caught in an inescapable trap, abandoned by the world and exploited by the forces around them.
A Call for Accountability
The militarization of Rohingya refugees is not just a humanitarian crisis; it is a ticking geopolitical time bomb. The involvement of regional powers, the strategic calculations of Myanmar’s junta, and the disillusionment of a stateless population combine to create a volatile mix that threatens regional stability.
International actors must urgently address the root causes of this crisis, including the lack of citizenship for the Rohingya and the dismal conditions in refugee camps. Without meaningful intervention, the situation will spiral further into violence, dragging neighboring countries and innocent civilians into the fray.
The Rohingya’s plight is a stark reminder of the consequences of global apathy. The world cannot afford to look away; the cost of inaction will be measured not just in lives lost but in the erosion of humanity’s moral compass.
(With inputs from agencies)
