Tensions escalated once again in the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar as a violent gunfight between rival armed groups left one person dead and several others injured.
The clashes, which erupted between members of the Arakan Rohingya Army(ARA)and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), have raised serious concerns about security and stability in the camps, where thousands of vulnerable refugees continue to live under fear and uncertainty.
Gunfight Erupts Between Armed Groups
According to local sources, the violence began in the early hours of March 7, around 12:30 AM, when heavily armed members of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) launched a targeted attack on individuals associated with the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) in Camp 10, Balukhali 1.
The attack reportedly left two RSO members severely injured one suffered a gunshot wound to the hand, while the other was shot in the leg. The injured were later rushed to a local medical facility for treatment.
The situation escalated further the next day when RSO retaliated against ARA in a coordinated counterattack.
On March 8, RSO members gathered in Camp 10, Block H42, and launched an organized assault on ARA members in Camp 8E. This confrontation quickly turned into a deadly gunfight, resulting in casualties on both sides.
During the exchange of fire, a Rohingya refugee who was caught in the crossfire sustained critical injuries and later died at a hospital. Several others were also wounded in the clashes, though the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.
Security Forces Intervene, Several Arrested
Following the outbreak of violence, security forces, including the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), swiftly intervened to prevent further bloodshed.
Reports indicate that two RSO members were apprehended by ARA fighters during the attack in Camp 8E.
Meanwhile, APBn forces arrested two ARA members from the same location and took them into custody at the local police station. Their identities have not been disclosed.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the chaotic scene, saying:
“There were gunshots everywhere. People were running for their lives. Some of those injured were carried away while bleeding, and I saw some being taken to the hospital.”
Another witness confirmed that several ARA members who sustained injuries were later admitted to hospitals for treatment.
Meanwhile, the Rohingya refugee who was accidentally caught in the gunfight succumbed to his injuries, adding to the growing death toll caused by ongoing violence in the camps.
Growing Security Concerns in the Refugee Camps
This latest escalation of violence has once again exposed the fragile security situation in the Rohingya refugee camps, where armed groups continue to engage in criminal activities, extortion, and violent clashes leaving innocent refugees trapped in an atmosphere of fear and instability.
A Rohingya human rights advocate, speaking to reporters, condemned the ongoing violence and urged authorities to take stronger action against armed groups operating in the camps.
“These groups are terrorizing the refugees daily. They extort money, force people into their activities, and use them for their own gains. This is not just about a fight between two groups—it is about the security of innocent people who have already suffered enough,” he stated.
Local authorities have assured that security measures are being reinforced to prevent further clashes.
However, many Rohingya refugees remain skeptical, fearing that these incidents will only continue as long as armed groups are allowed to operate freely in the camps.
Call for Action from International and Human Rights Organizations
The violence in Cox’s Bazar comes at a time when global attention on the Rohingya crisis is dwindling, and funding for humanitarian assistance is decreasing. With limited resources and growing insecurity, many refugees feel abandoned by the international community.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that if security is not properly enforced, the situation in the camps could deteriorate further, leading to even more violence and displacement.
A refugee living in Camp 10, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his frustration and despair, saying:
“We fled Myanmar to escape violence, but here, we are living in constant fear again. No one is safe. If this continues, we don’t know what will happen to us.”
With tensions still high, the situation in the Rohingya refugee camps remains volatile, and it is unclear whether further clashes will erupt in the coming days. Authorities have vowed to increase security patrols and crack down on criminal activities within the camps.
However, without long-term solutions and strong international intervention, the cycle of violence is likely to persist putting thousands of innocent refugees at risk.
