In the wake of escalating conflicts in Arakan (Rakhine) between the Myanmar military junta and the Arakan Army (AA), the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) is calling for international intervention. Recent weeks have witnessed an alarming increase in violence, with an incident on January 28 where residents of North Maungdaw reported a devastating explosion that razed 20 homes. The aftermath of the attack saw a complete shutdown of internet and phone lines in the affected area.
The period between November 13, 2023, and January 27, 2024, has been particularly brutal, with reports indicating that over 80 civilians have been killed and more than a hundred injured due to the intensifying conflict. The situation has not only created an atmosphere of terror among the local population but has also raised concerns across the border as Myanmar’s junta’s mortar shells reportedly landed in Bangladesh territory near the Ghumdhum border in Bandarban’s Naikhongchhari upazila.
Amidst this turmoil, residents are being forced to flee, fearing for their lives. The violence, which ARNO describes as a continuation of genocidal policies against the Rohingya people, has prompted the organization to seek international support. ARNO has appealed to the United Nations Security Council to demand the Myanmar military junta comply with UN resolutions and to establish a complete ceasefire.
Furthermore, recognizing the gravity of the situation, ARNO has urged The Gambia to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The petition aims to bring the international community’s attention to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the resulting displacement and loss of life among the Rohingya. This plea is in response to the violations of the January 2020 Preliminary Order by the Court, with ARNO strongly advocating for Myanmar’s adherence to the Court’s directives to bring an end to the violence and restore peace in the region.
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