[🇧🇩] Insurgencies in Myanmar. Implications for Bangladesh

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Major Myanmar rebel group sends delegation to China for talks

A major Myanmar ethnic rebel group has sent a delegation to China for talks with its government, its spokesman said on Monday, as Beijing looks to end fighting along its southern border...

www.newagebd.net

Major Myanmar rebel group sends delegation to China for talks
Agence France-Presse . Yangon 10 December, 2024, 01:15

A major Myanmar ethnic rebel group has sent a delegation to China for talks with its government, its spokesman said on Monday, as Beijing looks to end fighting along its southern border.

A delegation from the Kachin Independence Army had left on Sunday ‘for talks with the Chinese government’ at China’s invitation, Colonel Naw Bu said.

He did not give details on what the talks would be about or where they were being held.

China is the most important ally of the junta that seized power in Myanmar in 2021 but also maintains ties with several ethnic rebel groups that hold territory just over its border.

The past year has seen increased clashes between some of those groups and the junta across northern Myanmar, a vital link in Beijing’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative.

KIA fighters were battling junta troops in the town of Bhamo on Monday, Naw Bu said.

‘They the Myanmar military used a lot of air strikes and artillery attacks to protect their bases,’ he said.

The KIA, which can call on around 7,000 fighters, has been battling the military for decades for autonomy and control of local resources in Kachin state.

The state is home to huge jade mines and rare heavy earth elements, most of which are exported to China.

In recent weeks two other Myanmar rebel groups in neighbouring Shan state said they were ready for China-brokered peace talks with the junta.

China has welcomed the moves, which analysts say came after Beijing pressured the groups to halt operations against the junta.

Myanmar is home to about a dozen ethnic rebel groups that have battled the military for decades for autonomy and control of lucrative resources including jade, timber and opium.

Some, including the KIA, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army, have given shelter and training to newer ‘People’s Defence Forces’ that sprang up to battle the military after it seized power in 2021.​

 

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Bangladesh tightens border amid influx fear as Arakan Army seizes Maungdaw

Bangladesh has beefed up security measures along its border with Myanmar as fighting rebel group Arakan Army on Sunday captured the remaining base of the Border Guard Police in the Rakhaine state...

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Bangladesh tightens border amid influx fear as Arakan Army seizes Maungdaw
Staff Correspondent 10 December, 2024, 11:41

Myanmar border guards stand to provide security near the fence at a no-man's land between Myanmar and Bangladesh, near Taungpyolatyar village, Maungdaw, northern Rakhine State, Myanmar, on June 29, 2018. | UNB/AP photo

Bangladesh has beefed up security measures along its border with Myanmar as fighting rebel group Arakan Army on Sunday captured the remaining base of the Border Guard Police in the Rakhaine state.

Authorities concerned said that the latest development in Myanmar would further worsen the risk of a fresh Rohingya influx in Bangladesh.

On Sunday, Arakan Army, which one of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling the Myanmar army, claimed the capture of the last outpost of the country’s border force in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometre (168-mile) -long border with Bangladesh, United News of Bangladesh reported.

Officials of the local administration and law enforcement agencies told New Age on Tuesday that they were on high alert along the land border and the River Naf to check trespassing, influx in particular, of Myanmar citizens.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman stationed in Cox’s Bazar said that the Arakan Army had already shifted a huge number of Rohingyas from Buthidaung locality of Arakan to Maungdaw.

‘We have heard that around 2,00,000 Rohingyas have assembled along the Myanmar side of the border. They are struggling with food shortages. So there is potential risks of an influx in Bangladesh,’ Mizanur said.

The RRR commissioner has also requested law enforcement agencies to step up their surveillance along the border area.

Major Syed Istiaque Murshed, acting commanding officer at Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) under the Border Guard Bangladesh’s Ramu Sector, said on Tuesday evening that the Arakan Army took over the whole land area across the Naf River.

‘We are on alert and doing our best to stop Rohingya influx and illegal drug trafficking,’ Istiaque told New Age in a written message, adding that the BGB personnel were carrying out ‘domination patrol’ over the Naf River on Sunday night.

The Border Guard Bangladesh conducted boat patrols from Border Reference Marker (BRM)-6 to BRM-10, covering vulnerable spots along the Naf River and asserting control over islands within Bangladesh’s territorial waters, said a press release issued by the force on Monday.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard also joined hands to intensify the border security. The force’s East Zone media officer Lieutenant Shakil told New Age on Tuesday that the Coast Guard’s two outposts on the River Naf increased patrols to stop trespassers through the waterway.

‘Additionally, we have sharpened our surveillance and intelligence,’ Shakil said.

As part of beefing up border security, the Teknaf upazila administration imposed a temporary ban on all kinds of transportation through the Naf River from Sunday afternoon for an indefinite period. The ban also covered fishing in the Bangladesh part of the river, upazila nirbahi officer SK Ahsan Uddin said on Tuesday afternoon.

‘Since Sunday evening, we have not heard the sounds of fire shots and bombing which became usual for the past one month,’ Ahsan said.

On Monday, the Associated Press quoted Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, saying that the Arakan Army seized the last remaining military outpost in Maungdaw on Sunday.

An unverified press release of the Arakan Army also declared an indefinite ban on all transport of people and goods in the Myanmar side of the Naf River from Sunday afternoon.

The release said that the members of the ‘fascist’ Myanmar military junta along with their allies, including armed groups Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, Arakan Rohingya Army, were trying to flee through the Naf River.

‘Therefore, due to military necessities and public security concerns, all river transportation in the Naf River (Rakhine side) will be indefinitely suspended starting from 3:30pm on December 8, 2024,’ the unverified release said.​

 

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Dhaka to host int’l conference on Rohingya issue in Sept-Oct next: CA press secretary

Bangladesh will hold an international conference on Rohingya crisis in Dhaka in September-October next year, said chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday.

en.prothomalo.com

Dhaka to host int’l conference on Rohingya issue in Sept-Oct next: CA press secretary
BSS
Published: 10 Dec 2024, 22: 45

Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam briefing newsmen at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Tuesday evening. PID

Bangladesh will hold an international conference on Rohingya crisis in Dhaka in September-October next year, said chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday.

“The modalities of the conference will be finalised by April next and we expect that various countries of the world, including those, who are interested in this issue like the United Nation, European Union, China, India and USA, will participate in it,” he said while briefing newsmen at Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Tuesday evening.

In this connection, the press secretary said the government has been monitoring the Myanmar situation closely.

When asked, he said the chief adviser has appointed a high representative, who has solid professional background and a career diplomat to monitor the Rohingya crisis intensively and talk to stakeholders concerned.

He said chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus presented the idea of holding the conference during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York in September last. “We talked to the UN many times over the issue,” Alam added.

On 19 November 2024, Dr Khalilur Rahman was appointed as the ‘High Representative on Rohingya Crisis and Priority Issues Affairs’ to the chief adviser.

Chief adviser’s deputy press secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were also present at the press briefing.​

 

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The nincompoop in the video suggests that Arakan Army will forcefully occupy Chittagong of Bangladesh. The total number of armed members of Arakan Army is approximately 40 thousand. The video is in Bengali.

 

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Tension, fear on Teknaf frontier

Locals and Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar are in fear amid reports of the Arakan Army’s takeover of the Rakhine State and full control of the 270km Myanmar border with Bangladesh.

www.thedailystar.net

Tension, fear on Teknaf frontier
Naf river route closed, trade with Myanmar stopped as Arakan Army claims taking control of border

Locals and Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar are in fear amid reports of the Arakan Army's takeover of the Rakhine State and full control of the 270km Myanmar border with Bangladesh.

Due to security concerns, Teknaf upazila administration yesterday imposed restrictions on traffic on the Naf, which flows between Teknaf and Myanmar territory.

Boats that carry people and supplies between Teknaf and St Martin's Island had not operated yesterday, according to Rashid Ahmed, president of the local service trawler owners' association.

He hopes the restriction would be lifted today.

Faysal Anowar, a resident of Nayapara village, said, "We heard the sound of bombing and shelling coming from across the Naf river in Myanmar for weeks. We worry about the safety of our families."

As per international media reports, there had been intense fighting between the Myanmar junta and ethnic armed group Arakan Army. Locals say there has not been any bombing since Sunday, but military planes were frequently flying over the border.

Abdus Shukkur, a fisherman of Sanrang village, claimed that the Arakan Army detained several fishermen from the Naf estuary a few days ago.

"Sometimes they open fire on the Bangladeshi fishermen, saying that we are in their territory. We cannot risk our lives while fishing," he said.

Maulana Harun Amini, a resident of Ghumdhum area in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, said he was afraid to go to his farm next to the border.

"Who knows when they will begin fighting again and one of us will become a victim?" he asked.

Contacted, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, "The estuary of the Naf is used by large trawlers that go to the sea. We restricted the movement of those trawlers through that part."

Abdul Jalil, president of fishing trawler owners' association in Teknaf, said despite risks, around 10 fishing trawlers went to the sea via the Naf.

"We are scared. This is our livelihood. That's why the fishermen are risking their lives," he said.

BANGLADESH-MYANMAR TRADE DISRUPTED

Jasim Uddin, general manager of Teknaf United Land Port Ltd, said, "The last boat to arrive from Myanmar with goods was a fishing trawler from Yangon on December 7. Currently, four Myanmar trawlers are at the land port jetty. The boatmen are not willing to return."

UNO Ehsan said the BGB and Coast Guards were on alert to prevent illegal entry to Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Rohingya leaders in Cox's Bazar are concerned about the long-awaited repatriation process.

"We want to sit with the Arakan Army and talk about our chances of returning to our homeland," said Kamal Hossain, chairman of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals Representative Committee in Cox's Bazar.

Mohammad Zubair, chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, said people of his community were frequently calling him from Maungdaw township and saying that they were in fear of a crackdown on Rohingyas.

Many international media reported that the Arakan Army claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the territory along Bangladesh-Myanmer border on Sunday.

AP quoted the Arakan Army as saying that after claiming control over the northern part of Rakhine, it ordered the suspension of transport across the Naf because police and local Muslims affiliated with the army were attempting to escape by boat to Bangladesh.

AP reported, "The rebel group has been accused of major human rights violations, particularly involving its capture of the town of Buthidaung in mid-May, when it was accused of forcing an estimated 2 lakh residents, largely Rohingyas, to leave, and then setting fire to most of the buildings. It was accused of attacking Rohingya civilians fleeing the fighting in Maungdaw in August."​

 

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Tension continues along border

Tension remained high along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as of Wednesday evening amid a heightened risk of a fresh influx of Rohingya people as rebel group Arakan Army had established its full control along the border between the two countries in the Rakhine state...

www.newagebd.net

Tension continues along border
Staff Correspondent 12 December, 2024, 00:32

Tension remained high along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as of Wednesday evening amid a heightened risk of a fresh influx of Rohingya people as rebel group Arakan Army had established its full control along the border between the two countries in the Rakhine state.

Villagers dwelling close to the border in Bangladesh side shared their security concern. ‘Although the terrifying sounds of gun shots and bombing have stopped but this silence scares us. There is no certainty,’ said Aminul Islam from Teknaf on Wednesday afternoon.

No cargo trawlers from Myanmar arrived at Teknaf land port since Sunday afternoon as the upazila administration imposed an indefinite ban on vessel movement in the Bangladesh part of the Naf River, including the Teknaf-Saint Martins route.

Law enforcement agencies continued maintaining their beefed-up security measures along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as of Wednesday. The security measures were stepped up following the Arakan Army’s capture of the last outpost of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police in the strategic western town of Maungdaw on Sunday.

Teknaf upazila administration, as did on Tuesday, repeated public announcements on Wednesday also about the indefinite ban on vessel movement in Naf River and safety measures.

Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer SK Ahsan Uddin confirmed on Wednesday evening that the border area remained silent since the Sunday evening.

‘Due to the unstable situation along Myanmar border, the administration has instructed Bangladeshi fishermen and all types of vessel operators not to venture into the Naf River until further notice,’ he said.

Syed Mohammed Anwar Hossain, manager of United Land Port Limited, which operates the Teknaf land port, said that vessels from Myanmar that docked earlier at the port remained stuck there, unable to return home.

According to him, a cargo trawler carrying fish docked at the port’s jetty on Friday. Currently, four cargo trawlers remained anchored at the jetty and goods were being unloaded from two of them.

Rashid Ahmad, president of the Saint Martins Service Trawler Owners’ Association, said that 27 service trawlers and 47 speed boats, operating on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route, remained docked at the jetty following instability deepened in the border area, summoning stricter surveillance by the Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard.

Tourist ships, however, operating between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin Island via the Bay of Bengal, would continue as usual, he said.

BGB Teknaf Battalion acting commanding officer Major Syed Istiaque Murshed could not be reached over phone for comment.

Coast Guard East Zone media officer Lieutenant Shakil on Wednesday said that the border situation did not deteriorate further but they remained on alert along the Bangladesh part of the Naf River to stop trespassing through the waterway.

On Sunday the Arakan Army, one of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmar’s army, claimed the capture of the last army outpost in Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh.

Because of the geography with hills and streams, Tambru border area with Myanmar in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban also remains vulnerable. ‘However, the recent development in Maungdaw has no impact on here so far. BGB personnel remain on high alert to check trespassing,’ said Naikhongchhari upazila nirbahi officer Muhammad Mazharul Islam Chowdhury.​

 

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Bangladesh closely monitoring Myanmar situation: foreign secretary

Bangladesh is keeping a close watch on the volatile situation in Myanmar, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said today

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh closely monitoring Myanmar situation: foreign secretary

Md Jashim Uddin

Bangladesh is keeping a close watch on the volatile situation in Myanmar, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said today.

"We are keeping watch," he told media when asked whether Bangladesh will develop contact with the Arakan Army, which has taken control more than 80 percent of Rakhine State and the 271-kilometer border with Bangladesh.

"We will do whatever needed to protect our national interest. Our top priority for now is the repatriation of over a million Rohingyas taking shelter in Bangladesh," Jashim Uddin said at the foreign ministry today.

Bangladesh has been facing immense challenges in terms of funding and security because of the presence of the Rohingyas, most of whom fled a brutal military crackdown in 2017.

Bangladesh is now weighing various options for sustainable solution to the Rohingya since the formation of the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Asked about the Bangladeshi fishermen detained by the Indian coastguard, Jashim said Dhaka has communicated New Delhi for their repatriation.

Indian Coast Guard apprehended 78 Bangladeshi fishermen for allegedly entering Indian territorial waters. They were intercepted onboard two vessels, FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) last Monday.

The fishermen were taken to Paradip Port in Odisha and handed over to local police on Tuesday.​

 

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Battle in Myanmar's Rakhine: Bangladesh authority allows limited vessel movement in Teknaf

A few trawlers travelled from Shaporidwip to Saint Martin island via Kular Char on Thursday as the Teknaf upazila administration relaxed vessel ban through the Naf River.

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Battle in Myanmar's Rakhine: Bangladesh authority allows limited vessel movement in Teknaf
Staff Correspondent 13 December, 2024, 01:08

File photo

A few trawlers travelled from Shaporidwip to Saint Martin island via Kular Char on Thursday as the Teknaf upazila administration relaxed vessel ban through the Naf River.

On Sunday afternoon, the Teknaf upazila administration imposed a complete vessel ban for an indefinite period amid a tense situation along the Bangladesh-Myanman border.

The situation worsened as the rebel group Arakan Army, one of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmar’s army, claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometer (168-mile) -long border with Bangladesh.

Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer SK Ahsan Uddin told New Age on Thursday evening that the upazila administration had relaxed the vessel ban for maintaining the commodity supply chain between mainland Teknaf to the Saint Martin Island.

He, however, reconfirmed that vessel ban over the Naf River between Bangladesh and Myanmar border was still effective.

Rashid Ahmad, president of the Saint Martin Service Trawler Owners’ Association, said three trawlers from Teknaf carried medicine, vegetables, oil, pulse, rice and other food items to the Saint Martin on Thursday evening.

He also said that Teknaf-based fishers continued fishing in the Bay of Bengal.

‘Fishing is halted only in the Naf River,’ Rashid said.

Bangladesh Coast Guard’s East Zone media officer Lieutenant Shakil said that the border situation didn’t deteriorate further.​