Voices Amid Strife: Rohingya Perceptions of War in Rakhine and Justice in Myanmar

Since Myanmar’s 2021 coup, the ethnic insurgent Arakan Army (AA) has grown in power—projecting a more inclusive image while expanding its control in Rakhine State. But this narrative has collapsed amid recent attacks against Rohingya communities in Buthidaung and Maungdaw. Drawing on interviews with Rohingya in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, along with media monitoring, this study captures how these shifts are experienced by those most at risk.

The findings expose a sharp rise in violence, forced displacement, and media bias—compounded by human trafficking, land grabs, and systemic discrimination. While many Rohingya once saw the AA as a counterforce to the Myanmar military, trust is eroding. Their testimonies offer a sobering counter-narrative to dominant revolutionary discourse.

This study explores what Rohingya communities are enduring today, what they envision for a just future—and what local and international actors must do now to protect their rights and dignity.

This study is part of the Myanmar Digital Research series published by Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) with support from International Development Research Centre and The SecDev Foundation.