Talk:Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present)

Couple notes to other editors

 * This violence/insurgency/conflict/crackdown did not begin in 2017. The first attacks from the ARSA in October 2016 were the first attacks by a Rohingya insurgent group/rebel group in several years. The persecution of the Rohingya [in general] did not begin in October 2016, but this new violence and crackdown did. The violence that erupted in August 2017 from the insurgents' and security forces' clashes are a continuation of the violence that was triggered in October 2016. The Burmese military have been accused of human rights violations since October 2016, this is nothing new. TL;DR: Violence began in October 2016 not in 2017. Please do not add "...in 2017" to paraphrased statements unless explicitly stated in the original statement as it could be misleading to readers (this is usually unintentional on the editor's part).


 * Dash a.k.a " — " is available in Wikipedia's HTML5 code. You can use " — " in your writing instead of a double hyphen ( -- ).

Nikarin me ragirin. – GeneralAdmiralAladeen  ( Têkilî min ) 01:06, 15 September 2017 (UTC)

Added Aung San Suu Kyi's name to infobox "Commanders and leaders"
Reason: Aung San Suu Kyi is incumbent State counsellor of Myanmar, a portfolio equivalent to prime minister, among leaders she must be mentioned. Moreover various prominent figures including Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai have criticised Aung for her idle role and silence during this crisis. -- Kazmi1122 13:37, 15 September 2017 (UTC)
 * Yes very good reason. Also.--INDIAN REVERTER (talk) 23:46, 20 September 2017 (UTC)
 * The reason why some editors thought she should be left out is that she has no control over the military. Even if she denounced them and sought action, she is powerless to stop the military crackdown. Just thought that should be noted, I'm not suggesting any changes. Nikarin me ragirin. – GeneralAdmiralAladeen  ( Têkilî min ) 22:43, 21 September 2017 (UTC)


 * I agree with all the statements here. Suu Kyi IS a relevant party, because she does hold at least some power (cermonial, administrative and political) in Myanmar -- though largely vulnerable to the miltary junta that actually excercises decisive control of the country, according to most independent non-partisan analyses. She could, however, have sacrificed her popularity and power by choosing to "do the right thing" and speak out against the military -- exerting some political pressure on them, and attempt to soften the public passion agains the Rohingya. She has not, and, in fact, openly sided with the military, strengthening their position and public antipathy to the Rohingya.  Consequently, in this case, she is appropriate to list as a "leader" IMHO.  ~ Penlite (talk) 11:39, 19 July 2018 (UTC)

Possible source of references on events
A possible source for links to current major media reports on the current crisis: ROHINGYA CRISIS NEWS -- a list of major-media article links, apparently compiled by an American civil rights activist -- which lists chonologically, with links to the souce publication (and sometimes abstracts), current articles on the conflict in Rakhine state, and related issues.

It's updated daily or almost-daily, with links to articles from most major English-speaking media sources...
 * main global news networks' (AP, AFP, Reuters);
 * major media in the region: (Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Singapore, Australia);
 * principal Western newspapers: (e.g.:, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Independent, Toronto Globe and Mail);
 * principal Western broadcast news: (e.g.: BBC, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox News, PBS, NPR, CBC, CTV);
 * principal U.S. news magazines: (e.g.:, Time (magazine), U.S. News, Newsweek,);
 * organizations and U.S. government: United Nations, U.S. State Department,, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.)

Though probably pro-Rohingya bias, it does list articles covering some anti-Rohingya statements, and is not inconsistent with what most of the world is saying, right now. It's online at: ROHINGYA CRISIS NEWS. ~ Penlite (talk) 04:09, 6 October 2017 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. Community Tech bot (talk) 20:37, 28 June 2018 (UTC)
 * 33rd Light Infantry Division insignia (Myanmar).png

Ambiguous title
The title of this article, "Northern Rakhine State clashes", is ambiguous in terms of time period and specific conflict.

"Northern Rakhine State clashes" can refer to any of the armed conflicts or instances of sectarian violence between [Rakhine] Buddhists and [Rohingya] Muslims in northern Rakhine State from 1942 until present. Violent clashes in the region are not exclusively between Buddhists and Muslims either, and could refer to the ethnic conflict between Rakhine and Bamar Buddhists. This is evident with the recent fighting between the majority Buddhist Arakan Army and majority Buddhist Myanmar Army.

In short, the title is too vague and broad and should be more specific with its period and belligerents. Since this article is mainly focused on the attacks by ARSA and the subsequent military crackdown (so-called "clearance operations") and exodus of Rohingya Muslims from 2016 to 2018, the title could be renamed to something closer to that topic, e.g. "2016–2018 military crackdown in Rakhine State". Because the crackdown is arguably still ongoing, the "2016–2018" could be dropped, though this goes back to the aforementioned issue with regards to time period, as there have been two other military crackdowns in Rakhine State; Operation Dragon King in 1978 and Operation Clean and Beautiful Nation in 1991/92.

I'd like to hear any opinions on this suggestion, in support or objection. Otherwise, I will move the page in around a week's time. Centre Left Right ✉ 23:38, 17 January 2019 (UTC)


 * Another option is to make the coverage on this page more broad and to include all recent clashes in northern Rakhine State (i.e. the Arakan Army–Myanmar Army clashes). Centre Left Right  ✉ 23:41, 17 January 2019 (UTC)

June 2021 move proposals
I suggest Rakhine State clashes (2016–present). Arakan is archaic in English-language academic writing and news coverage, while Rakhine may imply the ethnic group rather than the geographical area. Conflict/clashes depends on which is being used more often in media, something a Google analysis can determine. Centre Left Right ✉ 01:24, 7 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks. I suggest Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present), as it includes the Rohingya crisis, the AA insurgency of Rakhine ethnic group and also the Rohingya-Rakhine conflict. Use of the word conflict because the events described in the article were much more than clashes. The conflict is similar to the South Thailand insurgency, so an alternate name could be Insurgency in Rakhine State, but I rather avoid the term insurgency because the article also includes the Rohingyas refugee crisis. Sgnpkd (talk) 17:23, 7 June 2021 (UTC)
 * I think your proposed name is better. This discussion will be closed in about a week, or earlier if nobody else weighs in. Centre Left Right  ✉ 22:45, 7 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you for raising the proposal. Sgnpkd (talk) 18:52, 10 June 2021 (UTC)