Rohingya crisis faces deepening security threats and humanitarian neglect

The Rohingya humanitarian crisis is evolving into a significant security threat in the Chattogram region of Bangladesh. As of July 2026, over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees are living in Bangladesh, with the majority residing in Cox’s Bazar. The security landscape is increasingly complicated by the presence of multiple armed groups, including the Arakan Army (AA), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), which contribute to border instability, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued an urgent appeal for renewed global attention to the crisis, nearly a decade after the 2017 violence. Guterres noted that Rohingya communities in Myanmar and Bangladesh face deepening insecurity and shrinking protection spaces, a situation worsened by funding cuts to life-saving assistance. He called for a comprehensive political solution to address the root causes in Myanmar to allow for the voluntary and dignified return of refugees.