Rohingya insurgent leader Ataullah Jununi arrested in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has become a temporary refuge for over one million Rohingya refugees fleeing ethnic violence and persecution from Myanmar. On March 18, 2025, security officials arrested Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), in Narayanganj, near the capital Dhaka. Jununi was taken into custody under charges including illegal entry, murder, sabotage, and terrorist activities. His group has been known for armed assaults against Myanmar's security forces amidst ongoing humanitarian crises. The actions of ARSA and its members have intensified the struggle for survival among the Rohingya population within the refugee camps. Jununi's arrest marks a significant move by Bangladeshi authorities to crack down on insurgent activities that have created internal strife among the Rohingya refugees. The ARSA, evolved from Rohingya exiles aiming to reclaim their rights, has been implicated not just in insurgency but also in criminal enterprises within camps, such as smuggling and kidnappings. Analysts have noted that ARSA was formed in 2016 primarily by refugees who had fled the brutal conditions in Myanmar and have been fighting to gain recognition for the Rohingya people. In past months, the activities of ARSA have also led to heightened violence within refugee settlements, resulting in several fatal clashes. Critics have drawn attention to the serious issues of infighting and retention of authority by various factions of armed groups in these camps. Tragically, this situation not only complicates humanitarian efforts but also increases the everyday peril for ordinary Rohingya families who are solely seeking safety away from the violence of their homeland. Infighting among various factions has resulted in numerous deaths, particularly following the murder of prominent Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah in 2021, an incident that set back peace efforts significantly. As Bangladesh’s government continues to face pressures regarding the Rohingya population, the arrest of Jununi is seen as both a necessity for maintaining order in the camps and a politically risky move, as it may provoke violent retaliation from his followers. The complexity of this situation highlights the intertwined challenges of human rights, security, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions for a population that has for too long lived in limbo. The global community watches closely as they balance the humanitarian needs of the Rohingya refugees with the security issues posed by insurgent groups within the camps.