Since the resumption of war in his hometown of Rakhine State last November, Thura Maung has found his options limited. The 18-year-old, belonging to the ethnic Rakhine majority in the state, fled his home in Myebon in December amidst escalating clashes between the military and the Arakha Army. Evading the military, he and his family escaped by boat, returning briefly before fleeing two more times as the fighting worsened. By February, the sound of shelling could be heard from the village where he sought refuge, with the military blocking goods and internet access, making it difficult for his family to survive. With his university closed due to the conflict, Thura Maung felt his dreams slipping away. Zubair, a 24-year-old Rohingya from Maungdaw, was also affected by the conflict, fleeing from the war and a military conscription drive targeting Rohingya men. Both young men are part of a new generation in Myanmar whose lives have been upended by the 2021 military coup. The conflict in Rakhine State has only exacerbated existing tensions, with the military and the Arakha Army engaging in violent clashes. The situation has forced many to flee in search of safety, risking their lives to survive. The renewed fighting is the latest in a series of crises to hit Rakhine State, which has a diverse population of various ethnic groups. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and disrupted communities, threatening years of fragile progress towards reconciliation. The military’s tactics, including forced conscription and communal violence, are further destabilizing the region. Both Thura Maung and Zubair have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict, with Zubair seeking refuge in a camp in Bangladesh. The fear of conscription and violence has left them feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their futures.
