ARSA Special Operations Force (ASOF)

Defenders of the Rohingya Homeland

The ARSA Special Operations Force (ASOF) is a specialized force within the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), formed in the context of the prolonged persecution, displacement, and insecurity experienced by Rohingya communities in Arakan State.

The forces of ASOF are known as the “Lions of the Arakan Mountains.” Our role is connected to the broader Rohingya struggle for security, dignity, freedom, justice, and the right of the Rohingya people to live in their ancestral homeland.

Our purpose is to protect Rohingya communities from threats and violence and to address the security concerns affecting our people in Arakan State. Our position is shaped by the continuing displacement, persecution, and insecurity faced by Rohingya communities.

ASOF remains within the structure of ARSA and identifies its role with the broader concerns of the Rohingya people, including the protection of our people, identity, communities, and homeland.

For us, the “Lions of the Arakan Mountains” represents the resilience and determination of the Rohingya people and our continuing pursuit of security, dignity, and justice in Arakan State.

We are only committed to the peace mission and we do not allow our forces or any of our components to harm any civilians or people in Arakan State and not operate across the border of Bangladesh. The opponent militants have been spreading propaganda against our forces of involvement in various crimes, it’s either committed by themselves or others according to our investigations and findings, pushing these crimes over our forces. Again, our mission is only in Arakan State and only for peace.