We have no option but to fight: Rohingya insurgents

YANGON: Rohingya insurgents said yesterday they have no option but to fight what they called Myanmar state-sponsored terrorism to defend their community, and they demanded that the Rohingya be consulted on all decisions affecting their future.

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) launched raids on Myanmar security forces on Aug 25, which sparked sweeping counter-insurgency operations in the north of Rakhine state that led to widespread violence and arson and an exodus of some 650,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh.

The United Nations condemned the Myanmar army campaign as ethnic cleansing. Myanmar rejected that. But since the August raids, the small insurgent group has launched few if any attacks until Friday, when its fighters ambushed a Myanmar military truck, wounding members of the security forces.

“Arsa has ... no other option but to combat ‘Burmese state-sponsored terrorism’ against the Rohingya population for the purpose of defending, salvaging and protecting the Rohingya community,” the group said in a statement signed by leader Ata Ullah and posted on Twitter.

“Rohingya people must be consulted in all decision-making that affects their humanitarian needs and political future.”

A Myanmar government spokesman said the insurgents were trying to delay the repatriation of refugees from Bangladesh under a plan the two governments have been working on.

“Arsa aims to frighten those who are considering returning, to show the region doesn’t have peace,” Zaw Htay said.

Myanmar and Bangladesh have been discussing a plan to repatriate the refugees but hightened insecurity in Myanmar is likely to raise even more doubts about how quickly that might happen. – Reuters