By: Hafizur Rahman
April 18, 2025 | Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
The Government of Bangladesh has strongly refuted recent reports by certain Indian media outlets which claim that Bangladesh is involved in clandestine operations inside Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Officials have labeled these reports as “completely baseless, provocative, and harmful to regional stability.”
The allegations suggest that Bangladesh is being pressured to assist the Arakan Army (AA), a rebel group fighting the Myanmar junta since the military coup in 2021. Some reports even falsely claim that U.S. officials have encouraged Bangladesh to support the AA, a claim categorically denied by Bangladeshi government and military sources.
Activists and Rohingya Voices Speak Out Against Disinformation
Mohammed Younus Arman, a Rohingya humanitarian worker and activist who provides emergency support in the camps, condemned the Indian media’s narrative:
“Fake news hurts regional peace. Northern news agencies in India are acting as mouthpieces for Myanmar’s terrorist Arakan Army and spreading misinformation about the Bangladesh Army. This is a time for cooperation, not confusion. These articles falsely accuse Bangladesh of leading US-backed operations in Rakhine, which is an organized attempt to damage Bangladesh’s image and derail repatriation efforts for over one million Rohingya forcibly displaced since 2017.”
“Bangladesh has always upheld a humanitarian and peaceful approach regarding the Rohingya crisis. It has maintained internal stability and managed refugee situations with respect and discipline.”
“We Rohingya strongly condemn this type of fake news and misinformation. It creates tension between nations and distracts from real solutions. These narratives are not only harmful to Bangladesh but to the entire region’s pursuit of peace and justice.”
The Dangers of False Reporting
Anisul Mostafa, a Rohingya photographer, warned:
“Misinformation disrupts relationships between countries. Through photography, I try to highlight the real stories of Rohingya lives and struggles. But such false reports put us at risk and erase our voice. I am not part of any conflict—I am a storyteller, trying to bring light to a forgotten people.”
Senior journalist Chandan Nandy, writing for Northeast News, published a now-debunked article titled “Bangladesh Army to Lead US-Backed Clandestine Operations in Myanmar’s Rakhine State”. Rohingya leaders fear such articles could incite military suspicion toward refugee camps.
“Such disinformation fuels fear and distrust among an already distressed refugee population,” warned a Rohingya rights group. “It endangers humanitarian aid, undermines trust with host authorities, and could even attract the attention of armed actors, turning the camps into perceived military zones.”
“This kind of false reporting damages donor confidence and increases psychological stress on a marginalized people who are only seeking safety and dignity.”
Rohingya Condemn False Link to Militancy
Mohammed Riduwan, a Rohingya youth dependent on humanitarian aid, said:
“The claim that we are involved in military activities is nonsense. We have no role or capacity in armed conflict. We survive on monthly aid. We want justice and a peaceful return to our homeland—nothing more.”
Documented Abuses by the Arakan Army
According to Rohingya Khobor and multiple field reports, since the Arakan Army took control of Maungdaw township on December 8, 2024, Rohingya civilians have faced arbitrary arrest, torture, and widespread abuse.
The AA has imposed severe movement restrictions, banned use of the term “Rohingya,” and has been accused of mass killings and the discovery of mass graves near the Naf River, as thousands attempted to flee.
Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, told The New Humanitarian:
“Despite previous claims of respecting Rohingya rights, the AA’s true intentions became clear after capturing our towns. At least 2,500 Rohingya were killed, and over 40,000 fled between March and August 2024.”
Osman Goni, a genocide survivor from Buthidaung, shared:
“They took us without explanation—no warrants, no charges. They came with weapons and forced us out of our homes. Now we live in fear, without food, without protection, and without justice.”
A Call for Media Responsibility and Protection for Refugees
Ajaz Khan, founder of Rohingya Green Nature Society and a youth activist for peace and climate justice, stated:
“Articles like these put the whole community under suspicion and distract from vital work. We are working to protect our environment and build peace. Linking us to armed conflict threatens everything we stand for.”
Salim Khan, founder of Rohingya Photography School, added:
“Spreading narratives about proxy wars or military operations near refugee camps causes fear and confusion. Most of us are trauma survivors. Such false stories only add to our emotional burden.”
Conclusion: Truth Matters More Than Ever
The circulation of unverified and politically charged media reports linking Bangladesh and the Rohingya to foreign-backed military operations threatens to undermine humanitarian progress, harm international relationships, and put lives at risk.
Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian values, providing shelter to over one million Rohingya for years. The Rohingya community urges all media outlets to verify their information and act responsibly.
“Let us focus on cooperative efforts, not division. Let us prioritize truth, safety, and the dignity of displaced people,” said Mohammed Younus Arman.
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