Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA)
Situation Report on Arakan & Myanmar
December 6, 2023
UN General Assembly Adopts Rohingya Resolution by Consensus
On 15th November 2023, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the annual resolution on the situation of the human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar by consensus. Jointly tabled by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU) the resolution was cosponsored by 114 countries.
The resolution commends the Government of Bangladesh for its generosity and humanitarian support in hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingya. The resolution calls upon Myanmar to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis and create a conducive environment in Arakan to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland in Myanmar. Member states have been urged to continue their humanitarian support to the Rohingya living in Bangladesh in the spirit of responsibility and burden sharing.
ARNA held an international online discussion meeting
The Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA) held an international online discussion meeting on 25th November 2023 on the topic of “Impact of Rohingya Genocide on Peace, Security and Stability”. Renowned international personalities on political and security matters such as Lt. Gen. (rtd.) Dr. Mohammed Mahfuzur Rahman, former Principal Staff Officer under Prime Minister’s office and Head of the Armed Forces Division; Dr. Mahbubul Haque, Faculty of Law and International Relations, University Sultan Zainul Abedin Malaysia; Ms Regina Paulose, International Law Attorney; Dr. Mohammed Yunus, Vice Chairman 1 of ARNA and Sheikh Mufti Maulana Ataullah, Rohingya refugee representative spoke on the subject among others.
The speakers highlighted on the critical and dire situation of the Rohingya people and the need of the friendly quarters and the international community to take urgent attention on finding a comprehensive solution to their long lingering problem affecting peace, security and stability of the region.
ARNA Refugee Committee held a committee meeting
On 2nd December 2023, 35 ARNA refugee committee members from different camps gathered at camp-13.
They discussed the prevailing situation in various refugee camps, situation in Arakan and the need of the ARNA members and supporters to be morally upright and the need to try their best to face the situation.
The ARNA Committee members proposed to establish an office of ARNA in the refugee camp to work more effectively to organise the refugees and motivate them. They also proposed to form an ARNA branch committee in every camp.
Prominent Rohingya personalities asked to attend meeting held by Maungdaw SAC officials
Some 40 Rohingya prominent persons were invited to Maungdaw town in November. They were asked to follow certain rules as directed by coup regime officials. They were strongly warned not to cooperate with AA and report to coup regime officials about AA activities.
More Rohingya reached the Ache province of Indonesia
More than 100 Rohingya refugees including women and children, have landed in Ache on December 2. Two other boats with hundreds of others are still in the sea trying to land. In November over 1000 arrived in Ache who have somehow succeeded in landing in spite of objection from local people.
Rebel AA and Coup Regime forces continue fighting in North Arakan
Since November 13 intense fighting has been in continuation in various towns of north Arakan. The AA has briefly seized the central police station of Pauktaw on November 16. However, regime forces responded with pounding helicopter gunships, naval shelling and ground troops. The AA withdrew to remote areas of Pauktaw and continued fighting regime forces which is continuing till today. The town is completely deserted now. Meanwhile civiliams on Minbya town have also fled to the countryside amid daily bombardment by Light Infantry Battalion 379. On November 24 central market in Ponnagyun town went up in flames as junta warships pounded the town. Civilians have fled the town. Residents of Kyauktaw and Minbya towns have also fled due to junta random artillery strikes and armed patrols. In the Capital Sittwe a curfew has been imposed where military tanks have been sighted and there is a growing sense of public panic after the regime-imposed blockade since November 14.
Blockade of towns continues, and civilians are detained in Arakan
The military junta has detained over 70 civilians in Rakhine state in two weeks since fresh fighting with AA, 30 from Sittwe, 14 from Kyaukpyu, 11 from Taungup, 6 from Maungdaw, 5 from Ponnagyun, 3 from Pauktaw, 2 from Myebon and 2 from Rathedaung. They were seized between November 13 and 26 under the Unlawful Association Act for allegedly having ties with AA. Meanwhile blockade of towns is in continuation causing immense suffering to the people.
Myanmar junta attacked on new fronts, thousands flee to India
While confrontation with AA is in continuation, junta forces are attacked in new front. Fighting broke out in Chin state which borders India. Insurgents attacked two military camps inflicting heavy casualties to junta forces. 43 junta forces crossed into Mizoram after a rebel attack. Most of the junta forces were flown back by Indian forces and handed over to Myanmar authorities. Meanwhile, about 5,000 civilians from Myanmar crossed into India’s Mizoram state to seek shelter from fighting.
Fighting intensifies in northeast Myanmar
Following Operation 1027 launched by the Alliance of three armed groups coordinated by KIA and KNDA junta forces have been surrendering in large numbers following heavy losses in fighting. Over 180 military camps and outposts have been captured by resistance forces since the start of Operation 1027. The Loikaw township in Southern Shan and the city of Bago may soon fall. Myanmar’s military appointed President said recently that the country was at the risk of breaking apart.