150,000 Rohingya Purged Since Myanmar Coup: War Drives Mass Exodus
Key Points
- More than 150,000 Rohingya have been purged from their homes since Myanmar's civil war escalated following the 2021 coup.
- One million Rohingya members live in resettlement camps in Bangladesh after a military crackdown in 2017.
- Rakhine State is controlled by the Arakan Army, Myanmar's most powerful rebel group, which Rohingya witnesses allege commits atrocities matching the 2017 military crackdown.
Myanmar's military has alleged in a written statement to Al Jazeera that the Arakan Army is inciting hatred against Rohingya Muslims and has "reportedly committed acts of genocide" against them since taking control of much of Rakhine State. The Arakan Army declined to address the allegations in the investigation.
The Al Jazeera inquiry, conducted in partnership with human rights investigators from Myanmar Witness and Rohingya citizen journalists, uncovered evidence that the rebel group is connected to the human trafficking of Rohingya refugees out of Myanmar, including young children and women subjected to sexual violence and brutality. The investigation used leaked documents and covertly filmed footage to examine what has transpired during the Arakan Army's takeover.
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Rohingya armed groups aligned with the military government are also involved in the conflict. When questioned by Al Jazeera, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) denied burning civilian homes, participating in activities causing harm to Rohingya villagers, and encouraging refugees to fight against the Arakan Army. Rohingya rebels active in the conflict reject accusations of misconduct.
With escalating violence on its border, Bangladesh has launched a repatriation scheme aimed at sending all refugees back to Myanmar. However, this effort is complicated by increased activity from Rohingya armed groups aligned with the military government. The cross-fire dynamics—where Rohingya face simultaneous threats from the military, the Arakan Army, and affiliated militia groups—create an impossible situation for civilian populations unable to distinguish between warring factions or predict which group controls any given area at any moment.
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Al Jazeera's investigation is part of Myanmar Exposed, a series examining the hidden truths of the ongoing crisis caused by the 2021 coup and civil conflict. The inquiry reveals that this humanitarian emergency remains largely forgotten by the international community despite affecting nearly two million people across multiple countries.
What Happens Next
The repatriation scheme faces mounting obstacles as Rohingya armed groups aligned with Myanmar's military expand operations in Rakhine State, making return migration increasingly dangerous. Bangladesh may escalate diplomatic pressure on Myanmar's government while international donors face pressure to fund expanded camp operations indefinitely. The Arakan Army's control of Rakhine State suggests the conflict will persist beyond any near-term settlement.
Sources: Al Jazeera and other international news outlets.
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