In a controversial move, Myanmar's military has reportedly conscripted at least 100 men from the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State to join the fight against the Arakan Army insurgent group. This development comes seven years after the military's brutal crackdown on the Rohingya population, which resulted in thousands of deaths and mass displacement.
According to a report by the BBC, these men were recruited from the over 150,000 Rohingya who are currently residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Many of those conscripted expressed fear and reluctance but felt compelled to obey the army's orders, citing threats against their families if they refused.
The Rohingya, who have long faced discrimination and persecution in Myanmar, continue to endure limitations such as denial of citizenship and restrictions on movement. The majority have been living in dire conditions in IDP camps since they were forcibly displaced from Rakhine State in 2012.
The military's actions in 2017, which the BBC describes as ethnic cleansing, led to the deaths of hundreds of Rohingya, widespread sexual violence, and the burning of their homes. This resulted in a mass exodus, with around 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh for safety.
The decision to enlist Rohingya men to combat the Arakan Army underscores the military's desperation as it grapples with one of the largest insurgencies in the country's history. The Arakan Army, which has been gaining ground, recently attacked a military supply shack, leaving soldiers without food.
Recruits like Mohammed, who underwent training and were deployed to fight, expressed confusion and distress over their role in the conflict. Mohammed recounted being ordered to shoot at Rakhine villages without fully understanding the reasons behind the violence.
The enlistment of Rohingya men into the military raises concerns about further exacerbating tensions and violence in the region, as well as the continued marginalization and exploitation of this persecuted minority group.
BOB Post
