“I May Be Killed Any Moment” II. Responses by Rohingya Militant Groups Both the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) have consistently denied any wrongdoing in both the camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar, despite the widespread documentation and reporting of such abuses. They both purport to be fighting to liberate the Rohingya people in Rakhine State from the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA). However, through firsthand testimony, Fortify Rights established that, in 2024, the Myanmar junta and RSO are collaborating in armed conflict against the AA, representing a shift in Rohingya militant allegiances.233 “The RSO and the [Myanmar junta] military have mutual contact and movement in broad daylight,” said one Rohingya resident from Maungdaw Township. “The military junta and the RSO were fighting against the AA.”234 On May 15, 2024, after at least a year away from public view, Ata Ullah—the commander-in-chief of ARSA—released a video message pledging allegiance to an armed struggle for Rohingya rights while barely mentioning the Myanmar military junta but instead focusing on combatting the AA.235 In August 2024, two ARSA members interviewed by Fortify Rights said they were actively fighting against AA. 233 Fortify Rights interview with A.A.Z., Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, August 15, 2024. See also, Fortify Rights, “International Criminal Court: Investigate Arakan Army Massacre of Rohingya Civilians, Hold Perpetrators Accountable,” August 27, 2024, https://www. fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-2024-08-27/. Furthermore, RSO later confirmed to Reuters, “When [the Myanmar junta] are not attacking us, why do we make two targets at the same time? This has become an understanding by nature.” See, Devjyot Ghoshal, “Exclusive: On Myanmar’s Frontline, Rohingya Fighters and Junta Face a Common Enemy,” Reuters, September 6, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmars-frontlinerohingya-fighters-junta-face-common-enemy-2024-09-06/. 234 Fortify Rights interview with A.A.Z., Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, August 15, 2024. See also, Fortify Rights, “International Criminal Court: Investigate Arakan Army Massacre of Rohingya Civilians, Hold Perpetrators Accountable.” 235 In the video, Ata Ullah said: “Thanks to Allah Almighty, I and other ARSA commanders and members are in good condition. … We will never leave or abandon Arakan under any circumstances until we achieve the rights of the oppressed Rohingya nation. … As [the Arakan Army] aim to create a Rakhine country by depriving the Rohingya of their rights, prepare yourselves fully and join us. We will provide the necessary weapons to fight. … From the beginning, we have declared ourselves as servants of Arakan [Rakhine State]. We did not enter this struggle to attain positions of power. … Our fight has always been solely to restore the rights of the Rohingya.” Video from ARSA on file with Fortify Rights, 2024.

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