by Ro Maung Shwe
Cox’s Bazar, October 2025:
A Rohingya father, who fled Myanmar after his son was killed by the Arakan Army, now lives in a fragile shelter inside Kutupalong camp. His story reflects the pain and injustice faced by thousands of displaced families who escaped brutal violence in Rakhine State.
A Life Torn Apart by Conflict
Nur Mohammed, 45, arrived in Bangladesh in 2024 after fleeing unimaginable violence in Arissa Fara (Labruza Kayan Daing village) of Buthidaung Township. He once lived with his wife and seven children, three sons and six daughters. Today, he struggles to survive with the memories of his eldest son, Yessir Arfath, who was shot dead before their eyes.
In August 2024, during heavy clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar’s military junta, the AA turned its weapons against Rohingya civilians in Maungdaw and Buthidaung. Instead of fighting the junta forces, they deliberately targeted Rohingya communities, driving them from their homes through killings, arson, and looting.
“When they began targeting civilians directly and killing people by gunfire, we had no choice but to flee,” Nur Mohammed told Rohingya Khobor.
Fleeing from One Village to Another
His family first sought refuge in nearby Hañirfara village and stayed there for about one and a half months. When that area also came under attack, they moved again to Naitordail village and survived another month under extreme hardship. Despite the violence, they hesitated to cross the border, hoping they could someday return to their land.
Their hope ended in tragedy. While moving toward Shwe Zar village, the Arakan Army opened fire on civilians. Yessir, only 21 years old, was hit by a bullet and died instantly. “We just changed the road towards the border but never saw the face of my beloved son Yessir again,” Nur Mohammed said, his voice trembling.
“I neither speak nor eat when anyone asks about our horrific story. I lost hope when I lost my beloved son.”
The Dangerous Road to Bangladesh
After the killing, the family fled toward the border. On the way, local traffickers known as dalals extorted money from them, promising safe passage but abandoning them in remote hills. Eventually, after weeks of struggle, they reached Kutupalong Rohingya Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, now home to more than a million displaced people.
Life inside the camp has been painfully difficult. Yessir had been the family’s main breadwinner, working as a driver in Myanmar. Without him, the family lost both financial stability and emotional strength. Nur Mohammed himself suffers from chronic illness and cannot work. Unlike many who fled in 2017 and received broader humanitarian support, his family depends on limited rations and the kindness of neighbors.
A Small Shop, A Big Struggle
With help from other refugees, Nur Mohammed built a small shelter out of bamboo and tarpaulin beside a camp road. “Alhamdulillah, this shelter is beside the road. By the blessings of Almighty Allah, I opened this little betel shop to support my family,” he shared.
The shop earns barely enough to buy food, but for him, it means dignity and survival. “Every day I wake up remembering my son. His face comes before me when I open the shop,” he said quietly.
Seeking Justice and Peace
Many journalists, NGO workers, and visitors have listened to his story. Yet, for him, the pain has never faded. His greatest fear is being forced to return to Myanmar without safety or justice. “If we go back without rights and guarantees, they will kill us all. Our area is now under AA control, and they have already listed us,” he explained.
He now calls upon the world to act. “I want the international community to hear our story and understand the hardships we face. The UN and the ICJ must hold both the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military junta accountable for their crimes. I want justice for my son. I want peace. I just want to survive.”
A Shared Pain Among Thousands
Nur Mohammed’s tragedy mirrors that of thousands of Rohingya families who have lost loved ones to the gunfire of both the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military. Behind every statistic lies a grieving parent, a widow, or a child carrying the unbearable pain of loss.
Their stories remind the world that the Rohingya crisis is not just about displacement. It is about humanity, justice, and the right to live without fear.
