August 2024 – Rakhine State, Myanmar: The world is witnessing a harrowing resurgence of violence against the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar, as renewed fears of ethnic cleansing mount following reports of drone strikes that have killed hundreds of civilians, including women and children, in the country’s western Rakhine state. The attacks, which began on August 5, have sent shockwaves through the international community, drawing attention to a conflict that has plagued Myanmar for years but is now reaching new and terrifying heights.

The Current Crisis

The latest wave of violence erupted in Maungdaw township, located in northern Rakhine state, near the border with Bangladesh. According to reports verified by CNN and other news sources, drone strikes targeted civilians who were fleeing intense fighting in their villages. These families were waiting along the banks of the Naf River, which serves as a natural border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, in the hope of crossing into safety. Videos geolocated to the area depict a grisly scene: bodies of men, women, and children scattered across the riverbanks, their belongings partially submerged in muddy pools of water.

Witnesses and Rohingya activists have accused the Arakan Army (AA), a formidable ethnic armed group in conflict with Myanmar’s military, of carrying out the deadly drone strikes. The AA, however, has denied responsibility, stating that the deaths did not occur in areas under its control. The group admitted it was conducting an offensive to capture military camps near Maungdaw but placed the blame for the civilian casualties on Myanmar’s military and allied armed groups.

The Myanmar military junta, on the other hand, has blamed the AA for the attacks, alleging that AA forces used heavy weapons and drones against villages in Rakhine state. Due to a junta-imposed blackout on internet and telecom services in the area, as well as severe restrictions on access, it has become almost impossible for journalists, activists, and international monitoring organizations to verify the exact details of what is unfolding.

A History of Persecution

This latest violence against the Rohingya is tragically reminiscent of past atrocities. The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, have long been subjected to systemic persecution in Myanmar, a country where they are denied citizenship and rendered stateless. In 2016 and 2017, Myanmar’s military launched brutal campaigns of violence against the Rohingya, characterized by mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and the burning of villages. These actions led to the forced displacement of more than 700,000 Rohingya, many of whom fled to neighboring Bangladesh, where they remain in overcrowded and squalid refugee camps.

The 2017 military crackdown is currently under investigation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as an alleged genocide, reflecting the severity of the crimes committed against the Rohingya. The current resurgence of violence is therefore particularly alarming, as it raises the specter of ethnic cleansing on an even larger scale.

The Global Implications

The renewed violence in Rakhine state is not just a humanitarian crisis confined to Myanmar’s borders; it has significant global implications. First and foremost, it highlights the ongoing instability in Myanmar following the military coup in February 2021, which has plunged the country into a state of civil war. The conflict has caused widespread suffering among various ethnic groups, but the Rohingya, already marginalized and vulnerable, are bearing the brunt of the atrocities.

Secondly, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the international community’s limited capacity to prevent or stop such atrocities. Despite widespread condemnation and sanctions, Myanmar’s military junta remains entrenched in power, and the mechanisms of international law have so far been unable to hold the perpetrators accountable or protect the victims. The Rohingya crisis is a test of the global commitment to human rights and the prevention of genocide—a test that the international community is currently failing.

Moreover, the crisis has implications for regional stability. Bangladesh, which has already absorbed over a million Rohingya refugees, is struggling to cope with the influx. The latest violence could trigger another wave of refugees, exacerbating tensions in the region and placing additional strain on Bangladesh’s resources. The involvement of ethnic armed groups like the Arakan Army also risks further complicating the conflict, potentially drawing in other regional powers and escalating the violence.

A Call to Action

The world must take notice of what is happening in Myanmar. The Rohingya people are facing yet another existential threat, and the consequences of inaction are dire. International organizations, governments, and civil society must urgently intensify efforts to pressure the Myanmar military junta and armed groups to cease hostilities, protect civilians, and allow unfettered access to humanitarian aid and independent monitors.

Furthermore, there must be renewed efforts to seek justice for the Rohingya. The international community, through bodies like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, must pursue accountability for those responsible for the atrocities. Diplomatic and economic pressure, including targeted sanctions and arms embargoes, should be employed to weaken the military junta’s grip on power.

Finally, the plight of the Rohingya should be a rallying point for global action on statelessness and ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya crisis is a stark example of what can happen when a group is systematically denied rights and recognition. Addressing the root causes of such conflicts—discrimination, statelessness, and impunity—is essential to preventing future atrocities.

As the world watches the unfolding tragedy in Myanmar, it is imperative that this time, the international community does not look away. The Rohingya have suffered too much for too long, and their survival depends on the world’s willingness to stand up for justice and human dignity.