[🇧🇩] Insurgencies in Myanmar. Implications for Bangladesh

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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.

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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.

www.newagebd.net

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.​

 

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Gunshots in Rakhine rock Teknaf again

The sound of gunshots in neighbouring Rakhine state across the border shook Teknaf upazila again on Friday morning.

www.newagebd.net

Gunshots in Rakhine rock Teknaf again
Staff Correspondent 13 December, 2024, 18:10

The sound of gunshots in neighbouring Rakhine state across the border shook Teknaf upazila again on Friday morning.

Several local residents said that the sound might have come from Magnipara, Putungpara, Sudhapara, Foyezipara and surrounding areas in Maungdaw of Rakhine in Myanmar.

‘It started at 7:30am and continued till 9:45am,’ Abdur Rahman, a residence of Shah Porir Dwip, told New Age.

Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer SK Ahsan Uddin confirmed the information on Friday evening.

‘However, no conflict situation was spotted surrounding the Bangladesh-Myanmar border area,’ he said, adding that the upazila administration allowed limited vessel movement in the Bangladesh side on the Teknaf-Saint Martins island route under the surveillance of Bangladesh Coast Guard.

He also mentioned that the upazila administration’s ban on vessel movement through the Naf between Bangladesh and Myanmar was still effective.

Rashid Ahmad, president of the Saint Martins Service Trawler Owners’ Association, said that four trawlers travelled to the coral island with daily supplies and three trawlers returned from there to Teknaf on Friday.

On Sunday fresh tension sparked in border upazila Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar as the Arakan Army, one of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmar’s army, claimed the capture of the last security outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometre -long border with Bangladesh.

On the same day, the Arakan Army also imposed a vessel ban on the Myanmar side of the Naf.​

 

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Dhaka won't take any hasty steps over Rohingya issue: Khalilur Rahman

Dr Khalilur Rahman, High Representative on the Rohingya Crisis and Matters of Priority to the Chief Adviser, said on Friday that Bangladesh would not take any hasty steps regarding the Rohingya issue without a proper assessment of the emerging situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar. “We’r

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Dhaka won't take any hasty steps over Rohingya issue: Khalilur Rahman
UNB
Published :
Dec 14, 2024 00:17
Updated :
Dec 14, 2024 00:17

Dr Khalilur Rahman, High Representative on the Rohingya Crisis and Matters of Priority to the Chief Adviser, said on Friday that Bangladesh would not take any hasty steps regarding the Rohingya issue without a proper assessment of the emerging situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

“We’re keeping watch on the emerging situation in Rakhine… We don’t want to do anything hastily. We’ll not take any steps without deep consideration,” he said while joining a discussion in the capital via a virtual platform.

Unity for Bangladesh, a non-profit youth-based voluntary organisation, arranged the discussion titled ‘Rohingya Crisis and Regional Security: Pertinent Considerations of Bangladesh’ at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium in Dhaka University in the afternoon.

Dr Rahman said the issue is not only a humanitarian matter but also an issue of internal security or national security for Bangladesh. “So, we’ll take our next steps following sufficient assessments,” he said.

He noted that a standoff situation continues in Rakhine State, as the Arakan Army has taken control of about 80-85 per cent of the area, particularly the mainlands of the Rohingya, which have completely come under the control of the Arakan Army, a non-state actor.

Dr Rahman stated that Bangladesh needs to wait until the final situation in Myanmar is clear. “Our future engagement will depend on the situation that stands there,” he added.

Prof. CR Abrar, an expert on migration and refugee issues, stressed the need for significant investment in the Rohingya community for their education, health, livelihood, and other training to enable them to repatriate to their motherland with dignity and recognition of their identity.

He said Bangladesh needs to choose its allies to educate this community, as it is an international responsibility. He added that all international bodies and communities would be eager to provide all forms of support for their education, health, and training purposes.

Noting that what has been done in the name of their education is ineffective, Prof. Abrar said, “If they could stand in a strong position, then both the Arakan Army and Burmese Junta will take them back.”

He emphasized that Bangladesh should make a significant departure from its current policy and enable the community so they can defend themselves and their rights.

“I think our strength (in dealing with the Rohingya issue) will come when we make a significant investment in this community,” said Prof. Abrar.

Lt Gen (retd) Mahfuzur Rahman, former principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division, stressed the need to adopt a proper policy to take advantage of the geopolitical and geostrategic situation. “I think we need to revisit our existing policy,” he said.

He emphasised the need for developing the Rohingya as human resources and creating leadership among them.

Mahfuzur stated that Bangladesh missed its opportunity three times between 2017 and 2024 to find a solution to the Rohingya issue, and now it is going to miss the fourth opportunity.

He said Bangladesh missed the first opportunity by not keeping displaced Rohingya in no man’s land during the 2017 exodus, the second one in 2022 by refusing the Arakan Army when its chief sought humanitarian support and sympathy from Bangladesh and stated they would take back the Rohingya, and the third one in February 2024 by not relocating some Rohingyas to a place inside Myanmar when the Bangladesh-Myanmar border remained unguarded for three weeks following the flight of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police.

Noting that now the National Unity Government is willing to accept the Rohingyas and provide them citizenship, the retired general said Bangladesh might miss this opportunity as well.

Maj Gen (retd) Nayeem Ashfak Chowdhury, a security analyst, and Dr Saima Ahmed, an international relations teacher at Dhaka University, as well as writer Altaf Parvez, also spoke at the discussion, which was presided over by Monzur Moin, the spokesman of Unity for Bangladesh.​

 

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Battle in Myanmar's Rakhine State: Passenger vessels resume operation in Naf

The Teknaf upazila administration relaxed the ban on passenger vessels’ operation in the River Naf after Friday night’s discussion between the administration and the trawler owners on the security situation...

www.newagebd.net

Battle in Myanmar's Rakhine State: Passenger vessels resume operation in Naf
Staff Correspondent 15 December, 2024, 00:41

The Teknaf upazila administration relaxed the ban on passenger vessels’ operation in the River Naf after Friday night’s discussion between the administration and the trawler owners on the security situation.

Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer SK Ahsan Uddin told New Age on Saturday that the trawlers carrying passengers and commodities were now allowed to move from Teknaf to Cox’s Bazar, Saint Martin Island and the Bay of Bengal.

‘No sounds of firing or explosions were heard since Friday noon. The situation seems quiet. Following the development, the ban on vessel movement was relaxed,’ he said

Vessel operators are instructed not to cross the international border line, he warned.

He added that fishing in the Naf River had been suspended for a long time. However, there was no restriction on the movement of fishing trawlers from the River Naf to the sea.

Rashid Ahmad, the president of the Saint Martin Service Trawler Owners’ Association, said that all the service trawlers from Shah Porir Dwip to Saint Martin’s Island had resumed operations.

After months of fighting with the Myanmar military junta, the Arakan Army claimed to have taken control of the town of Maungdaw on December 8. Following this, the Arakan Army issued a statement imposing an indefinite ban on navigation in the Myanmar-controlled portion of the River Naf.

In response to this situation, on Sunday, the Teknaf upazila administration imposed an indefinite ban on the movement of all vessels in the Bangladesh-controlled portion of the River Naf, including the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route.

During the ban, special measures were taken on Thursday to deliver essential goods to Saint Martin’s Island.​

 

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Several thousand Rohingya waiting to cross the Myanmar border into Bangladesh

More than 37,000 Rohingyas were evicted from homes in five villages nearby Maungdaw and their homes were also occupied.

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Several thousand Rohingya waiting to cross the Myanmar border into Bangladesh
Staff Correspondent &
Published: 15 Dec 2024, 08: 55

Myanmar Rakhine state on the other side of Naf River Prothom Alo file photo

As Myanmar armed group Arakan Army took control of Maungdaw township in Rakhine state, several thousand of Rohingya men, women and children fear eviction in five nearby villages. Members of the armed group took over the Rohingya’s homes and gathered the villagers in place. Once these Rohingya people get a chance they might cross the Naf river and enter Bangladesh, but Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coastguard heightened patrols on the Bangladesh border.

It has been learned after speaking to Rohingya leaders staying in Bangladesh that more than 37,000 Rohingyas were evicted from their homes in Sudhapara, Ukilpara, Sikderpara, Fayezipara and Nurullahpara nearby Maungdaw and their homes were also occupied.

Meanwhile, limited movement of vessels started on the Naf river on Friday afternoon after several days of closure. Tourists are still avoiding Tenaf and using the BIWTA jetty in Nuniachhara of Cox’s Bazar town to travel to Saint Martin’s Island. Trade through Teknaf land port also remained halted.

Several sources from the border area said the Arakan Army took control of about 270-kilometre area, including Maungdaw township, that borders Bangladesh by taking control of the country’s Border Guard Police’s 5 frontier battalion in the south of Maungdaw township on 8 December.

Rohingya organisation Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH) president Mohammad Jubayer told Prothom Alo that the Arakan Army drove out Rohingys people from their homes and gathered about 37,000 people in the Perangpru area. These Rohingya are being allowed to leave for Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia in exchange for money, but they cannot enter Bangladesh as they fail to pay the money.

“There has been a conflict between Rohingya and the Arakan Army for a long. When we were in Rakhaine the Arakan Army and the junta forces jointly tortured Rohingya people,” he added.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and additional secretary Mohammed Mizanur Rahman told Prothom Alo they are closing observing situations in Myanmar. Security has been beefed up in Naf river to prevent intrusion, and no intrusion happen until Saturday afternoon.

Limited movement of vessels began on Friday afternoon after a ban was lifted. Rashid Ahmed, president of the Tenkaf-Saint Martin Service Trawler Owners' Association, said many people dare not operate water vehicles in the Naf river due to fear of kidnapping and firing. Previously, 74 trawlers and speed boats were operated on this route, and a few of them are in operation now.

Amid the current situation, import and export had remained halted through Teknaf land port since 7 December, causing troubles to 45 Bangladesh traders as they purchased frozen fish, onions, garlic, turmeric and logs and kept those goods at Sittwe, formerly Akyab, to ship to Bangladesh. Traders cannot bring the imported goods to Teknaf port now because of the situation in Rakhine state.

Teknaf Land Port C&F Agent Association general secretary Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur said traders of Teknaf are in trouble as trade remained halted for eight days. Besides, there is no opportunity for talks as the armed group has taken control of the Rakhine state.

Teknaf land port customs officer BM Abdulah Al Masum said the government lost Tk 30 million in revenue per day due to the halt in trade.

This report appeared in the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Hasanul Banna​