Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, and Muhib Ullah. AI photograph.

Newsman, Bangladesh— Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the commander-in-chief of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), has become a focal point in the global discourse on justice and accountability.

His leadership of ARSA, a militant group accused of war crimes and human rights violations, has drawn international attention, particularly following his arrest in Bangladesh on March 18, 2025.

This article explores why Jununi is a key figure in the Rohingya crisis and the broader implications of his actions.

Jununi’s Role in ARSA and the Rohingya Crisis

Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi rose to prominence in 2016 as the leader of ARSA, formerly known as Harakah al-Yaqin (Faith Movement).

Under his leadership, ARSA launched attacks against Myanmar’s security forces in 2016 and 2017, triggering a brutal military crackdown that led to the displacement of over 750,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh.

While ARSA initially claimed to fight for the rights of the Rohingya, its activities have since expanded to include violence, extortion, and forced recruitment within refugee camps.

Jununi’s leadership faced much controversy. In an October 2021 video message, he ambiguously addressed the assassination of Muhib Ullah, a prominent Rohingya human rights defender, stating that ARSA and Muhib Ullah shared the same goal of Rohingya repatriation.

Despite denying ARSA’s involvement in violence against civilians, numerous reports link the group to killings, abductions, and other crimes.

The Arrest and Its Significance

On March 18, 2025, Bangladeshi authorities arrested Jununi and other senior ARSA leaders in Narayanganj, near Dhaka.

The arrest was a significant step in addressing the growing insecurity in Rohingya refugee camps.

According to Fortify Rights, Jununi is responsible for ordering and overseeing egregious violations of international law, including targeted killings, abductions, and torture.

Matthew Smith, CEO of Fortify Rights, emphasized the importance of this moment, stating, “Bangladesh has taken the important step of arresting Ata Ullah and others, and we encourage the ICC prosecutor to seek an arrest warrant for Ata Ullah to prosecute him in The Hague.”

The arrest took place at the same time as the publication of a comprehensive report by Fortify Rights titled “I May Be Killed Any Moment.”

This report details killings, abductions, torture, and other serious violations committed by ARSA and other militant groups in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

It highlights the impunity with which these groups operate and the failure of local and international actors to protect Rohingya refugees.

Key findings include: Hundreds of murders between 2021 and 2024, with at least 90 killings in 2023 alone.

Refugees, including children, have been abducted and forced into military operations in Myanmar. A climate of fear pervades the camps, with one survivor stating, “I feel I may be killed at any moment.”

War Crimes in Myanmar and Bangladesh

Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi symbolizes the challenges facing international justice in conflict zones. Jununi’s international notoriety partly stems from multiple allegations that his directives have been responsible for heinous acts against civilians. According to reports:

Jununi ordering killings, abductions, and torture within Rohingya refugee camps—acts that have instilled fear and severely disrupted lives.

Investigations reveal a direct causal link between the acts committed in Bangladesh and the wider armed conflict in Myanmar, meeting the legal criteria needed to classify these acts as war crimes under international law.

These allegations are detailed in the 78-page Fortify Rights report, “I May Be Killed Any Moment”: Killings, Abductions, Torture, and Other Serious Violations by Rohingya Militant Groups in Bangladesh.

The report underscores that such acts are not isolated but part of a systematic pattern of violence linked to the broader armed conflict.

Eyewitness testimonies and documented cases—such as the assault on a madrasa in Camp-18 and the abduction and torture of a 23-year-old Rohingya man—provide compelling evidence of the crimes committed under the orders of ARSA leadership.

These incidents have been pivotal in framing international calls for accountability.

You can review the full report below to gain an in-depth understanding of these incidents and their broader context.

The report underscores the need for international cooperation to hold Jununi and other militant leaders accountable. It calls on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

Global Calls for Accountability

Jununi’s arrest has intensified international organizations’ calls for justice. Fortify Rights has urged the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for Jununi and prosecute him for war crimes.

The organization also recommends that the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) share relevant case files to support prosecutions.

John Quinley, Director at Fortify Rights, stated, “War crimes are usually committed within the immediate theater of armed conflict, but, in this case, specific crimes in Bangladesh are directly connected to the war in Myanmar and constitute war crimes.”

The ICC has already established jurisdiction over cross-border crimes against the Rohingya, making Jununi’s case a critical test of international justice mechanisms.

The Broader Implications

Jununi’s actions and the allegations against him highlight the complex dynamics of the Rohingya crisis. While the Myanmar military remains the primary perpetrator of atrocities against the Rohingya,

ARSA’s activities have further destabilized the community. The violence within refugee camps has not only exacerbated the suffering of the Rohingya but also strained regional stability and international relations.

The failure of the previous Bangladeshi government under Sheikh Hasina to address the growing influence of militant groups has drawn criticism.

The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, faces the challenge of restoring security and ensuring justice for the Rohingya.

A Test Case for International Justice

Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi’s arrest marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for the Rohingya. His leadership of ARSA and the group’s alleged involvement in war crimes make him a symbol of the challenges facing international accountability.

As global institutions like the ICC and IIMM work to address these crimes, Jununi’s case serves as a critical test of the international community’s commitment to justice.

The Rohingya people, already victims of genocide, deserve protection and accountability for the atrocities committed against them.

As Matthew Smith of Fortify Rights aptly stated, “International justice mechanisms, including the ICC, should follow Bangladesh’s lead and take urgent action.”