Arakan Rohingya Army | |
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![]() Flag of the Arakan Rohingya Army | |
Leaders | Nabi Hossain (POW) [1] [2] Abdullah Kane [3] |
Dates of operation | 2020[4] | –present
Active regions | Northern Rakhine State Bangladesh–Myanmar border |
Ideology | |
Size | Approximately 30 [5] |
Part of | Four Brothers Alliance |
Opponents | State opponents:![]()
|
Battles and wars | Rohingya conflict |
The Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) is an ethnic Rohingya insurgent group founded by Nabi Hossain. [6]
Formed in September 2020, ARA claimed that its fighters were based in Rakhine State and that it promised equal rights for everyone. [4] Its leaders, Nabi Hossain and Abdullah Kane, are wanted by Bangladeshi authorities for drug smuggling and mafia-like activities. [7] [8] [2] [1] [9]
The group started fighting against the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army after peace activist, Mohib Ullah, was allegedly killed by the latter group on 29 September 2021. [2]
On 6 February 2024 the Arakan Army and the RSO cooperated on a joint assault against ARA, who had captured a Border Guard Police camp along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border during the Rakhine Offensive. [1] During the month of April, ARSA and ARA reportedly fought with the Tatmadaw against AA in Buthidaung, where they burnt down homes and kidnapped civilians. [10] According to statements from both AA and Rohingya refugees, ARA forcibly recruits young men to fight with the Myanmar military. [11] [12]
On 30 August 2024, Nabi Hossain was arrested by the Armed Police Battalion. [13]