ARSA denies it has ties to transnational terror groups

Two days into international jihadist group Al-Qaeda’s call to help the Rohingyas, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), also known by its former name Harakah al-Yaqin, has denied allegations of having links with terrorist groups. In a statement released on Thursday, ARSA Commander in Chief Attaullah Abu Ammar junoni said: “ARSA feels it is necessary to make it clear that it has no links with Al Qaeda, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (IsIs), the Laskar-e-Taiba or any transnational terrorist groups, and we do not welcome the involvement of these groups in the Arakan state.” He also urged the states in the region to intercept and prevent the terrorists from entering Arakan and making the situation worse.

STATEMENT (14.9.2017): #ARSA - On Humanitarian Pause - Categorically Denies Allegations of Links with Transnational Terror Groups.#Rohingya pic.twitter.com/IpHSNd5qgO

— ARSA_The Army (@ARSA_Official) September 14, 2017

“ARSA also wants it to be known by all states that it is prepared to work with the security agencies to support counter-terrorism efforts in the region in order to prevent the infiltration of terrorist groups in Arakan,” he added in the statement. On Tuesday, Al-Qaeda Central (AQC) urged Muslims around the world and especially those in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines to support their Rohingya brethren in Myanmar financially, militarily, and physically. Earlier this month, Al-Qaeda-backed Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (previsouly Hizbul Mujahideen), urged Muslims to show the Buddhists how a Muslim can protect another Muslim. The jihadist group also asked for revenge for attacking the Rohingyas. ARSA attacked Myanmar police posts and army base in late August triggering a fresh escalation in the state that forced three lakhs Myanmar citizens fled to Bangladesh. ARSA earlier attacked Myanmar’s nine border security posts on October 9 last year following which Myanmar army started a violent crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. Different local and international militant groups have supported ARSA, but apparently ARSA is working independently toward liberating Rakhine state.