The Muslim militant at the heart of Myanmar's Rohingya exodus

Myanmar’s government calls the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army “extremist militant terrorists.”

The group, known as ARSA, and its founder, Ata Ullah, say it is defending Muslim Rohingya, highlighting decades of repression they have endured in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where most live along the border with Bangladesh.

The conflict is drawing the attention of foreign extremists. Al Qaeda’s central leadership urged Muslims to travel to Myanmar and support the Rohingya.

“In the coming year Myanmar will suffer from a full-blown insurgency unless it works with the international community to resolve an escalating conflict,” said Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Center for