Many young Rohingya men sheltering in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are expressing readiness to take up arms and return to Myanmar.
“We will not stay here. We will go back to Myanmar. We will fight alongside the Arakan Army. We want independence,” said one Rohingya youth in the camps.
Another young man stated that both the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) are working together “for the cause of jihad.”
According to testimonies, at least four groups are actively recruiting and inciting refugees to join armed rebellion or “holy war.” These groups are ARSA, RSO, the Islamic Mahaz, and the Arakan Rohingya Army.
This growing unity among Rohingya factions preparing for armed resistance has raised alarm among international observers, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ).