In the past two days, several Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, have witnessed sudden unrest as members of two rebel factions, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), engaged in violent clashes. Local sources reported that more than 500 rounds of gunfire have been exchanged in an ongoing struggle for dominance in the camps. As fear spreads, some Rohingya residents have organized protest marches, armed with sticks and local weapons, to demand peace and resist the militant factions.
Witnesses said that the situation within the camps has become increasingly volatile, with gunfire occurring both day and night. “We are too afraid to leave our homes,” said a resident, who requested anonymity. “The constant gunfire makes it feel like we are in a war zone.”
A community leader from the Jamtolee camp, Syed Karim, explained that in response to the ongoing violence, local Rohingya staged several protests in recent days. “We’ve been marching inside the camps to resist the militant groups,” Karim said. “Yesterday, we tried to chase away some of their members, but they fired hundreds of rounds into the air before fleeing.”
Adding to the tension, a grocery store owner in Balukhali camp mentioned witnessing a protest march on Thursday morning, with a small group of people carrying sticks and shouting slogans.
Authorities have responded by increasing security. According to Mohammad Amir Zafar, the commanding officer of the 8th Armed Police Battalion (APBn), additional police forces have been deployed to maintain order in the camps. “We are working to control the situation,” Zafar said.
Despite the efforts of local law enforcement, the standoff between ARSA and RSO remains tense. In an attempt to rally support, ARSA has used mosque loudspeakers to call for resistance against RSO. Both groups continue to exchange gunfire, keeping the camps on edge.
Meanwhile, NGO workers operating within the camps have suspended their activities due to the heightened risk. “Our teams are too afraid to enter the camps,” one NGO worker commented, echoing the concerns of others.
Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Tanvir Hossain confirmed hearing reports of unrest but deferred to law enforcement officials for further details. As efforts to restore calm continue, the local police commander remains hopeful that the situation will stabilize soon.
