The Arakan Army (AA) is a significant armed ethnic group in Myanmar, particularly active in the Rakhine State, where the Rohingya population also resides. The AA was founded in 2009, primarily composed of ethnic Rakhine people, and has been involved in a struggle for greater autonomy and recognition for the Rakhine ethnic group. However, the relationship between the Arakan Army and the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority in the same region, is complex and often marked by tension. The AA has been accused of perpetuating violence against the Rohingya, mirroring the broader ethnic conflict in Myanmar. This tension is exacerbated by the fact that while the AA fights against the central Myanmar government, it does not necessarily advocate for the rights or protection of the Rohingya people, who have faced widespread persecution and displacement.
Historical Context
The Arakan Army (AA) emerged in the context of longstanding ethnic tensions and a desire for greater autonomy among the Rakhine people in Myanmar. Rakhine State, historically known as Arakan, has a history of distinct cultural identity separate from the Bamar majority that dominates Myanmar. The AA was formed to challenge the central government’s control over Rakhine State and to secure greater political and economic rights for the Rakhine people. This struggle for autonomy, however, has not included the Rohingya population, who have been marginalized in Rakhine State for decades. The AA’s rise coincided with increased persecution of the Rohingya, leading to further alienation and violence between the two groups.
AA’s Role in the Rohingya Crisis
The Arakan Army’s role in the Rohingya crisis has been controversial. While the AA claims to represent the interests of the Rakhine people, its relationship with the Rohingya has been fraught with hostility. During the height of the Rohingya crisis in 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal campaign against the Rohingya, the AA did not intervene to protect the Rohingya population. Instead, reports suggest that the AA either turned a blind eye or, in some cases, even collaborated with the Myanmar military against the Rohingya. This has deepened the divide between the Rohingya and the Rakhine people, complicating the region’s ethnic dynamics.
AA’s Ideological Stance
The Arakan Army’s ideological stance is primarily centered around the Rakhine nationalist agenda, which does not inherently include the Rohingya. The AA seeks to establish a federal union within Myanmar that grants significant autonomy to Rakhine State. However, this vision of autonomy is largely exclusive to the Rakhine ethnic group, with little consideration for the Rohingya population. The AA views the Rohingya as outsiders or even collaborators with the central government, which has fueled animosity between the two groups. This exclusionary ideology has prevented any meaningful alliance between the AA and the Rohingya, even though both groups suffer under the central government’s policies.
Armed Conflicts and Civilian Impact
The ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military has had severe repercussions for civilians in Rakhine State, including the Rohingya. The AA’s military activities have often led to clashes with government forces, resulting in casualties and displacement among the local population. While the AA’s primary targets are government forces, the violence and instability they create have also affected the Rohingya. In some cases, the Rohingya have been caught in the crossfire or accused by the AA of supporting the government, leading to further persecution. This has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
Humanitarian Concerns
Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the Arakan Army’s actions in Rakhine State, particularly regarding their impact on the Rohingya population. The AA’s military operations have often disrupted aid delivery to Rohingya communities, who are already in a precarious situation due to displacement and violence. Moreover, the AA’s involvement in the region has made it difficult for international agencies to access affected areas, further complicating efforts to provide relief. The AA’s approach to the Rohingya issue reflects broader patterns of exclusion and marginalization that characterize the ethnic conflict in Myanmar.
AA’s Relationship with Other Ethnic Groups
The Arakan Army has sought alliances with other ethnic armed groups in Myanmar to strengthen its position against the central government. However, these alliances have largely excluded the Rohingya. The AA’s partnerships with groups like the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) are based on shared opposition to the central government and a desire for greater autonomy. However, these alliances are often based on ethnic solidarity that does not extend to the Rohingya, who are seen as a separate and distinct group. This lack of inclusivity in the AA’s alliances further isolates the Rohingya within Myanmar’s complex ethnic landscape.
International Response
The international community has struggled to navigate the complexities of the Arakan Army’s role in Myanmar’s ethnic conflicts, including its impact on the Rohingya. While the AA is recognized as a significant force in the struggle for Rakhine autonomy, its actions towards the Rohingya have drawn criticism. International human rights organizations have condemned the AA’s role in perpetuating violence and exclusion against the Rohingya, calling for greater accountability. However, the AA continues to enjoy some degree of international support due to its opposition to the Myanmar military, which has been widely condemned for its human rights abuses. This creates a challenging situation for international actors trying to address the Rohingya crisis.
Challenges to Reconciliation
Reconciliation between the Arakan Army and the Rohingya population remains a significant challenge. The deep-seated mistrust and animosity between the two groups are rooted in historical grievances and ongoing violence. The AA’s exclusionary nationalist ideology, combined with the lack of dialogue between the two groups, makes reconciliation difficult. Moreover, the broader political context in Myanmar, where ethnic divisions are often exploited by the central government, further complicates efforts at peacebuilding. Without addressing these underlying issues, any attempt at reconciliation is likely to be superficial and short-lived.
Future Prospects
The future prospects for the Arakan Army and the Rohingya population in Myanmar are uncertain. As the conflict in Rakhine State continues, both groups face significant challenges. For the AA, the struggle for autonomy is far from over, and it remains unclear how they will address the issue of the Rohingya in their vision for Rakhine State. For the Rohingya, the ongoing persecution and displacement pose existential threats, with little hope for a peaceful resolution in sight. The international community’s role in mediating this conflict will be crucial, but it is unclear whether enough political will exists to push for meaningful change in Myanmar.
Summary
The complex relationship between the Arakan Army and the Rohingya population reflects the broader ethnic and political challenges in Myanmar. While the AA fights for Rakhine autonomy, its exclusionary stance towards the Rohingya highlights the difficulties in achieving inclusive peace in a country fraught with ethnic divisions. The ongoing conflict in Rakhine State underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the rights and needs of all ethnic groups in Myanmar, including the Rohingya.