The Rohingya Muslims have continued to flee from their villages in the Rhakine state with now over half a million escaping to Bangladesh across dangerous waters. Myanmar’s military has continued to systematically burn down villages and crops, leaving the Rohingya nothing to come back to. The ones remaining are faced with a hard decision, flee the violence and gain possible safety in Bangladesh or stay and fight a futile battle. The few who decide to stay and fight join the Arsa militant group, a band of a few hundred poorly organized men with nothing but sharpened bamboo sticks and steely resolve to lean on. This group has been labeled by Myanmar’s government as a terrorist organization backed by Isis and uses this allegation to justify their actions of ethnic cleansing. Even though the Arsa militants have committed acts against the police force in Myanmar, they are simply defending their rights and are fighting for citizenship. However, there is a risk of them becoming radicalized by any number of foreign jihadists groups with real weapons to offer and a systematic approach to fight back. The Arsa Militants are desperate. Desperate for weapons, food, and leadership. The consequence of a radical groups involvement poses the risk of escalation and even annihilation of the Rohingya Muslims by Myanmar Military.
