A Cry for Help: The Rohingya's heartbreaking fight to survive war in Arakan.

For decades, the Rohingya people of Arakan State in Myanmar have been facing unimaginable hardships. Rohingya people have been persecuted, displaced, and deprived of basic human rights, their struggle has been relentless. Now, Rohingya people have been caught in the brutal conflict between the Arakan Army and the military juntas, the Rohingya people's situation has become even more desperate.

Sahat Zia Hero, founder of Rohingyatographer, reporting live in Al Jazeera English. Click on the image to access the video courtesy of Al Jazeera English.

The ongoing violence in Arakan State has escalated to unprecedented levels, leaving the Rohingya community in a perilous state. In March and April 2024, nearly 200,000 people were forcibly displaced internally from Buthidaung Township, with their homes burnt to the ground, and approximately 1,400 Rohingya people were brutally killed by both the Arakan Army and the military. The bloodshed continued into May, spreading to Maungdaw Township, where nearly 1,000 people lost their lives, and countless others were injured. The relentless fighting has deprived survivors of basic necessities such as food and medical care, leaving them to suffer in silence.

This photo, taken on the morning of May 18, 2024, in Buthidaung Township, shows the Rohingya on the road after being expelled from their homes, which were set on fire by the Arakan Army on the evening of May 17. Click on image to access source courtesy of Ro Nay San Lwin.

The violence against the Rohingya in Maungdaw is not just a continuation of ongoing atrocities but an alarming escalation. In June 2024 alone, around 70 Rohingya were killed, with hundreds more injured. In July 2024 another 29 were killed, with 64 injured. These grim statistics only scratch the surface of the horror that has befallen Rohingya community. On August 5th, the situation took a devastating turn. As the fighting between the Arakan Army and the military juntas intensified, thousands of Rohingya were forced to abandon their homes and gather at a beach near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, desperate to escape the violence, but there was no refuge. The Arakan Army launched drone attacks on the vulnerable civilians, killing over 200 people in cold blood.

"I saw thousands of Rohingya from Maung Ni, Myoma Taung, and Myoma Kayin Dan villages gather on the beach near Fezi village, desperate to escape to Bangladesh. The Arakan Army attacked us with drones, killing and injuring many." — I'm Goffar, 41 years old.

Rohingya Rights Organizations: Arakan army kills dozens of Rohingya Muslim minority residents of western Myanmar villages near border with Bangladesh. Click in the image to access the source courtesy of Al Jazeera

"It's difficult to confirm the exact number of Rohingya killed in the drone and artillery attacks by the Arakan Army because of the ongoing violence and poor communication networks. But from what we're hearing locally, the number of deaths is high." — I'm Jolil, 43 years old.

"On August 4th, a 22-year-old Rohingya university student named Ansarul Islam was shot and killed by the Myanmar Border Guard Police. Just an hour later, an 18-year-old named Ismail was killed by Arakan Army gunfire." —Jahangir, 28 years old.

Those who managed to flee were met with even more dangers as they tried to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. Bombs exploded, bullets flew, and four boats sank, taking the lives of countless more. The Rohingya people in both Maungdaw and Buthidaung township are surrounded by clashes between Arakan Army and military juntas so they started fleeing to escape with no other choice. 3,000 survivors are reported to have reached Bangladesh, awaiting for registration, they aren't getting any mental health support or aid from any organization. The survivors are staying in shelters from their relatives in the camps or wherever they can fit. MSF is providing medical facilities to the new arrivals. Ayas, a 37 year-old and her daughter as some of those being treated by MSF:

"Fearing for our lives, we found a boat and somehow managed to reach Bangladesh. Now we are getting treatment from MSF. But I can't find peace. don't know for sure if my son and sister-in-law really died, and that thought tortures me". — Ayas recounted.

Ayas and his daughter receive care at an MSF facility. Despite their escape to safety, the trauma and uncertainty of their ordeal continue to weigh heavily on them. © Photo courtesy of Sahat Zia Hero.

On August 6, Ayas and his family, along with seven other families, attempted to flee towards the border despite the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and the military. His wife managed to take their youngest child and six others back to the village for safety, but 19 of them were trapped in front of the Arakan Army. The commander ordered their execution. As the soldiers opened fire, Ayas was hit in his right hand, and his daughter was seriously injured with a gunshot wound to her left hand. They pretended to be dead while the Arakan Army counted them among the dead. Ayas witnessed his elder son and his aunt being shot, and saw a woman being raped and then killed. Fearing for their lives, he and his daughter made their way to the Naf River at sunset, found a boat, and managed to reach Bangladesh. They are now receiving treatment from MSF. Yet, the uncertainty over the fate of his son and sister-in-law torments him, leaving him unable to find peace.

Bodies of drawn Rohingya found on Teknaf beach, 6 August 2024. Click on the photo to access the video source courtesy of Mg Tin Shwe.

The bodies of 34 Rohingya, victims of this horrific violence, were found floating in the Naf River, washed up on the shores of Bangladesh and many more death bodies are coming daily. These victims were buried by local people, their lives cruelly cut short by a conflict that has shown no mercy. This violence is a deliberate and systematic attempt to destroy the Rohingya community, and it must not be ignored.

Testimony of Salim, a Rohingya man who lost five children in a boat sinking on August 6, 2024. Click on image to access video source by Zia Sahat Hero.

Solim, 48 years old, explained that on August 5th, he began his journey with others from his village, fleeing from the clashes between the Arakan Army and the military junta. They reached a beach, hoping to find boats to take them across the Naf River to safety in Bangladesh. While they waited, drones from the Arakan Army attacked them. Hundreds of people were killed instantly, and many others were severely injured. By some miracle, Solim and 36 others, including his family, survived and managed to find a boat to cross the river. However, the river’s waves were too strong, and the boat capsized. Solim’s five children, along with 25 others, drowned. He will never forget the moment when his eldest son called out to him:

"Dad, I'm drowning", he shouted while tearing my t-shirt as he struggled to survive. I gave everything I had to save my children, but I was exhausted, feeling like I was on the brink of death myself. In the end, I had to let go. Only six of us survived, rescued by Bangladeshi fishermen. But the pain of losing my children and the others will never leave me." —Solim recounted.

Rohima, a grieving mother. Click in image to access video source courtesy of Sahat Zia Hero.

"My sons were everything to me. They were killed while trying to protect their sisters from the Arakan Army. The Mogh rebel group brutally took them from me. I fled with my five daughters to Bangladesh, seeking safety. The Arakan Army must be held accountable for their war crimes against the Rohingya in Maungdaw and Buthidaung." —Rohima, a grieving Rohingya mother.

These heart-wrenching stories are just a few among countless others. The Rohingya people are not only being driven from their homes but are also being systematically targeted and killed. The international community cannot stand idly by as these atrocities continue. The recent violence highlights the urgent need for intervention to prevent further loss of life.

This Rohingya man lost 31 family members in the drone attacks by the Arakan Army on August 5, 2024, at the beach in Maungdaw Township. 200 Rohingya were killed, and many were injured. The Rohingya had gathered there to find a way to flee to Bangladesh, as living in their villages in Maungdaw was no longer safe. Click in image to access video courtesy of Sahat Zia Hero.

As the conflict rages on, the Rohingya people have nowhere to turn. Both the Arakan Army and the military juntas are using them as human shields, preventing them from evacuating to safety. While the Arakan Army sometimes claims to be helping the Rohingya, the reality is far different. They loot belongings, rape women, and burn homes, leaving the Rohingya with nothing but despair.

Romida's husband was killed by AA and fled with her child to Bangladesh. © Photo courtesy of Sahat Zia Hero.

The interim government of Bangladesh must open its borders to the fleeing Rohingya, offering them sanctuary from the relentless violence. International organizations, including the United Nations, must step up their efforts to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to those who have managed to escape. The world cannot continue to ignore the plight of the Rohingya people. Urgent action is needed to protect their lives and ensure their safety, dignity, access to aid and proper refugee status.

The situation in Arakan State is dire, and it will only worsen if the international community fails to act. The Rohingya people have suffered enough. They deserve to live in peace, free from the constant threat of violence and persecution. The time to act is now. The world must come together to put an end to the suffering of the Rohingya people and to hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities committed.

"In tough times, our people's strength isn't just about how much we suffer, but about our ability to stay strong and keep going, no matter what." — Hussain, Rohingya survivor, Teknaf, August 2024.