The Arakan Army has brushed aside Myanmar’s claim of verifying the identities of 180,000 Rohingya for potential repatriation, branding it “empty rhetoric” aimed at placating Bangladesh and the international community.
Khine Thu Kha, spokesperson for the armed group that controls large parts of Rakhine State, accused the Myanmar military of peddling conspiracy theories to foreign powers.
“They are trying to reassure Bangladesh with news of verified Rohingya, while in reality, the military holds no real ground in Rakhine and lacks the strength to engage with us on the front lines,” he said.
Khine Thu Kha made the remarks during a conversation with Tanvirul Miraj Ripon, an independent journalist specialising in the Rohingya crisis. Ripon later shared details of the exchange.
Ripon noted that Bangladesh has been proactive and constructive in its efforts to resolve the Rohingya issue.
“Myanmar is making such claims under mounting international pressure, while its own people continue an armed struggle to restore democracy,” he said. “I’ve worked on armed groups in the region for several years, and every step Bangladesh takes now is critical and sensitive.”
He pointed out that Rakhine is dotted with non-state stakeholders, and Bangladesh shares land, river, and maritime borders with the region.
“Bangladesh is expanding its presence in the Bay of Bengal. Any misstep could have significant repercussions. Recently, the Arakan Army has seized our ships, fishermen, and boats — engaging them diplomatically is crucial.”
On Friday afternoon, Bangladesh’s chief government adviser posted on Facebook that Myanmar had verified the identities of 180,000 Rohingya who could be repatriated.
The announcement sparked debate across media and social platforms over whether repatriation was feasible in the current climate.
Experts remain sceptical.
“De facto, the Myanmar junta no longer controls the Rakhine region — 90% of the territory is under the Arakan Army’s control. How can the junta repatriate 180,000 Rohingya? Where will they go? Will the Arakan Army even allow it?” questioned analysts.
Refugee affairs expert Altaf Parvez, in a Facebook post, urged Bangladesh to shed the “mirage” that Myanmar’s central government is the key stakeholder in repatriation.
“This isn’t 2017 — it’s 2025. Much water has flowed down the Naf River since.
Bangladesh must now engage with the Arakan Army and Rakhine leaders.
The junta is no longer a meaningful player — there isn’t even a functioning border with them now.
Attempting to solve a maths problem by reading a Bangla answer won’t work.”
