[🇧🇩] Insurgencies in Myanmar. Implications for Bangladesh

[Saif]

Myanmar conflict: Tensions prevail in Naikhongchhari

Naimur Rahman and Mong Sing Hai Marma reports from Naikhongchhari in Star on the Spot

www.thedailystar.net

Myanmar conflict: Tensions prevail in Naikhongchhari



he Bangladesh-Myanmar border area of Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban is still volatile due to the ongoing conflict between Myanmar's armed forces and rebel group Arakan Army.

Naimur Rahman and Mong Sing Hai Marma reports from Naikhongchhari in Star on the Spot.

 

[Saif]

Coast Guard, BGB on alert

Amid fear of a fresh influx of Myanmar nationals, Bangladesh border and coast guards have stepped up vigilance along the Myanmar border, including the Naf river.

www.thedailystar.net

Coast Guard, BGB on alert​

Locals fear fresh influx of Myanmar nationals

Amid fear of a fresh influx of Myanmar nationals, Bangladesh border and coast guards have stepped up vigilance along the Myanmar border, including the Naf river.

Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard and border forces were seen patrolling the border area over the last few days, as locals say the situation in Myanmar was still tense and more Myanmar nationals, including the Rohingya, may attempt to cross the Naf anytime for shelter.

Last week, both forces intercepted several incoming boats with Myanmar nationals and redirected them towards Myanmar amid weeks-long fierce fighting between Myanmar troops and Arakan Army (AA), an insurgent group that seeks to establish a separate state in Rakhine.

Since last Tuesday, at least 100 Rohingyas were pushed back as they attempted to cross into Bangladesh through the Naf near Teknaf ferry terminal in Cox's Bazar, Coast Guard sources said.

Lt Commander Lutfur Lahil Majid, head of Coast Guard's Teknaf station, said they are on high alert in the prevailing situation.

Although there has been no report of any large-scale Rohingya influx since fighting began in recent weeks, at least 330 members of Myanmar army and border police fled the conflict and took refuge in Bangladesh.

Dhaka and Naypyidaw are now discussing the process of their repatriation, which will be finalised in two to three days, said Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Tofail Islam.

Separately, Bangladesh law enforcers arrested 23 Myanmar nationals who entered Bangladesh with weapons, said Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Noore Alam Meena.

A court in Cox's Bazar yesterday placed 22 of them on police remand for three days each. The remand petition for another Myanmar national named Sadek was rejected on health grounds.

"A case has been filed after arresting 23 people with weapons. Investigation is underway and legal action will be taken for trespassing," said Noore Alam.

He added that the situation on the other side of the border seems "relatively peaceful" at the moment.

"Border Guard Bangladesh is keeping an eye on the situation," he said.

Both Tofail and Noore Alam visited Ghumdhum border area yesterday.

Noor Ahmed Anwari, chairman of Whykong Union of Teknaf, said they heard intermittent gunshots across the border yesterday morning. According to him, the ongoing fighting may create a situation where vulnerable Rohingyas and other Myanmar nationals may attempt to seek shelter in Bangladesh.

However, situation along Tumbru and Ghumdhum in Naikhonchhari upazila of Bandarban, and Rahamater Beel in Ukhiya upazila, and Lamba Beel, Whykong, and Hnila in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar was relatively calm yesterday.

Meanwhile, the education ministry has decided not to use Ghumdhum High School as an SSC examination centre in the wake of the fighting. The process to shift this centre is underway and it will be completed soon as the exam starts on Thursday, said Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Tofail.

 

[Saif]

Conflict in Myanmar: Bangladesh needs to handle the situation smartly

Dhaka should not fall into the trap of global and regional players over the Myanmar conflict, which has caused casualties inside Bangladesh, said foreign policy and security analysts.

www.thedailystar.net

Conflict in Myanmar: Bangladesh needs to handle the situation smartly​

Say experts, warn of regional players going to extremes to protect their interests

Dhaka should not fall into the trap of global and regional players over the Myanmar conflict, which has caused casualties inside Bangladesh, said foreign policy and security analysts.

The government needs to have a multi-layered diplomacy in place, which includes engaging the Arakan Army and Chin National Front that are dominating in Chin and Rakhine states bordering Bangladesh, alongside engagement with the Myanmar military, they said.​

​

It should form an advisory group for consultation on the Myanmar issue for formulating strategies, they said at a discussion titled "Myanmar Spillover: How worried should Bangladesh be?" organised by The Daily Star at The Daily Star Centre yesterday.

The fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army has forced some 330 Myanmar security forces and their family members into Bangladesh, while stray mortar shells and bullets landing in Bangladesh have created panic among locals.

Thousands of Myanmar nationals, including the Rohingya, were displaced, and there is a risk of new influx. Against this backdrop, the Border Guard Bangladesh has strengthened its capabilities along the border.

Bangladesh has sheltered over a million Rohingyas. No repatriation has taken place. The situation would be complicated due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, they said.

Security analyst Sakhawat Hussain said Bangladesh made mistakes in past by engaging with Myanmar bilaterally on the Rohingya repatriation.

"We can see clear possibilities of Arakan Army taking full control of Rakhine state by the year end, and the Myanmar military is now in a bad state."

"At this stage of time, we should go for diplomacy at track-2, track-3, and track-4 levels. We should engage the National Unity Government and the Arakan Army as well," said Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain, also senior fellow at the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance at North South University.

"We also should have the show of force as backup for diplomatic offensive," he said.

Bangladesh Enterprise Institute President M Humayun Kabir said the Myanmar crisis has created a more strategic problem than that of the Rohingya repatriation, and it is urgent to take effective measures to prevent it.

"There are risks of free movement to and from Myanmar. China can be involved in stabilising the conflicts in Rakhine. In that case, we can prevent further influx," said the former ambassador.

He suggested that ASEAN already has a five-point demand for Myanmar to transition into democracy, and Bangladesh can pursue for including the issue of Rohingya repatriation there.

Prof Tanzimuddin Khan of International Relations at Dhaka University said several crises could be created by the Myanmar conflicts -- there may be a fresh influx of Myanmar nationals, entry of the Myanmar's beleaguering forces, spread of arms and the insecurity of Bangladeshis along the border area.

He said the fact that the Arakan Army and other groups of Brotherhood Alliance are taking control of Rakhine and Chin states and they would require international recognition, Bangladesh should start "multi-layered diplomacy" by engaging various stakeholders in Myanmar.

Two major regional players will do everything to protect their national interests in Myanmar, and Bangladesh being the most affected country needs to smartly handle the situation, said Prof Tanzimuddin.

The government must keep in mind the national interest and strategic autonomy and smart handling of the Myanmar issue so that it is not in the trap of regional players, he said.

The foreign ministry should have an advisory group consisting of foreign policy and security experts for consultation, Prof Tanzimuddin said.

Southeast Asian history researcher Altaf Parvez said Bangladesh's focus is Rakhine state, but Chin state is also very important for geopolitical reasons. The Chin state borders Bangladesh and there are commonalities between the Chin and some ethnic groups of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh needs to engage the Chin National Front (CNF), which has already formed its government and a constitution, as CNF is positive about Rohingya repatriation and their recognition, he said.

Altaf said Bangladesh may seek support of the CNF leaders for engaging the National Unity Government that is fighting the junta and committed to recognising and repatriating Rohingyas under federal democracy in Myanmar.

The Daily Star Deputy Editor Arun Devnath also spoke at the event moderated by Tanjim Ferdous, in-charge of NGOs and foreign missions of the newspaper.​

 

[Saif]

Won't allow Rohingya to enter Bangladesh anymore: BGB chief

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui today said they would no longer allow Rohingya refugees to enter Bangladesh territory

www.thedailystar.net

Tumbru-Ghumdhum border areas not safe for civilians: BGB DG​

Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddique has said the Ghumdhum and Tumbru border areas of Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban are not safe for the common people.

He said this while talking to reporters after visiting the Tumbru border area on Wednesday.

 

[Saif]

Won't allow Rohingya to enter Bangladesh anymore: BGB chief​

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui today said they would no longer allow Rohingya refugees to enter Bangladesh territory.

The newly appointed BGB chief also said a boat carrying 65 Rohingya people tried to enter the country, but they were resisted by the border troops and the process of sending them back is underway.

The BGB men remain vigilant so that no Rohingya can enter, he added.

The newly appointed DG was speaking to reporters after paying his respects at the grave of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj around noon today.

Earlier in the day, BGB said a total of 264 members of Myanmar's border and security forces have come to Bangladesh to escape the fighting between the Myanmar army and the rebel Arakan Army at the border between the two countries.

Asked, the BGB chief said, "We gave them shelter, provided them food. Fifteen of them were injured."

He added that eight of them with critical injures are being given treatment at different hospitals.


"We are trying to face the situation with patience, considering human aspects," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Myanmar Conflict: Boats on Naf spark fear of fresh influx

Amid continuous fighting between Myanmar troops and the armed group called Arakan Army, many residents of Rakhine State have taken shelter on small boats on the Naf river along the border.

www.thedailystar.net

Myanmar Conflict: Boats on Naf spark fear of fresh influx​

Home boss warns against entry with firearms

Photo: Collected

Amid continuous fighting between Myanmar troops and the armed group called Arakan Army, many residents of Rakhine State have taken shelter on small boats on the Naf river along the border.

Lt Tahsin Rahman, spokesperson of the coast guard in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar, said it was not known how many Myanmar nationals were living on the river that flows between the two countries.​

​

"We are determined not to let anyone travel across the Naf and enter Bangladesh," he said, adding that around 200 Myanmar nationals were turned away at the border in recent days.

Mohammad Zubair, chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, told The Daily Star that between 400 and 500 Rohingya people were on the boats after fleeing their homes in Lalbunnya area of Myanmar.

Many of these Rohingya people are contacting their relatives in Cox's Bazar camps as they are getting cellular signals from Bangladesh, he said.

He added that fierce fighting was now going on in Maungdaw township of northern Rakhine where many Rohingya people live.

Meanwhile, gunshots and shelling were heard yesterday from Teknaf town, Shahporir Dwip, Sabrang, and St Martin's Island.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Adnan Chowdhury said, "I heard gunshots from my residence. People living near the border are living in fear."

He added that law enforcement agencies were on high alert on the border.

Earlier this month, countless bullets and mortar shells crossed the border, forcing people to flee the neighbourhoods along the border in Bandarban. Besides causing damage to properties, the bullets and explosives claimed at least two lives and injured several others in Bangladesh territory.

Yesterday, Noor Hossain, chairman of Sabrang Union Parishad in Teknaf, said locals were fearing yet another Rohingya influx.

He added that intermittent sounds of gunfire were heard from Sabrang until the evening and people in Shahporir Dwip saw troops firing weapons from helicopters.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said arms and ammunition were recently smuggled into Bangladesh from Myanmar.

"These were in abandoned condition. The border guards seized them, and the carriers were arrested," he told reporters in Chattogram, adding that additional forces were deployed in the border areas while the coast guards, Bangladesh Navy and BGB members were directed to be on alert at all times.

THOUSANDS SEEK TO FLEE MYANMAR

Over 1,000 people lined up at the Thai embassy in Yangon yesterday as young people sought to leave Myanmar after the junta said it would impose military service, AFP reports.

The military said it would enforce a law allowing it to call up all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve for at least two years as it struggles to quell opposition to its 2021 coup.

The junta faces widespread armed resistance to its rule after seizing power from an elected civilian government, and recently suffered a series of stunning losses to an armed alliance of ethnic minority groups.

The Thai embassy in Yangon has been swamped with young men and women seeking visas to get out of Myanmar since the announcement last Saturday.

Yesterday, an AFP journalist saw a queue of between 1,000 and 2,000 people snaking through the streets near the mission in downtown Yangon.

The embassy said it was issuing 400 numbered tickets a day in order to manage the queue.

Student Aung Phyo, 20, told AFP he arrived at the embassy at 8:00pm on Thursday and slept in his car before starting to queue around midnight.

"We had to wait for three hours and police opened the security gate around 3:00am and we had to run to the front of the embassy to try to get places," said the man who used a pseudonym because of fears for his safety.​

 

[Saif]

Panic spreads to new areas amid fighting in Myanmar

Panic gripped the residents of Shah Porir Dwip and Saint Martin in Teknaf amid sound of gunfights and shelling from heavy weapons as fighting between...

www.newagebd.net

Panic spreads to new areas amid fighting in Myanmar​

Staff Correspondent | Published: 00:36, Feb 17,2024

Panic gripped the residents of Shah Porir Dwip and Saint Martin in Teknaf amid sound of gunfights and shelling from heavy weapons as fighting between Myanmar junta forces and ethnic rebel group Arakan Army continued in Rakhine on Friday.

Residents said that they saw Myanmar helicopters and fighter jets hovering over Rakhine amid the fighting, which left them concerned about their safety.

The firing in Myanmar along the border of the two areas started on Thursday after Bangladesh deported 330 Myanmar soldiers and civilians who fled to the country between February 4 and 8, fleeing the conflict in Rakhine.
Bangladesh authorities ferried the Myanmar escapees to the naval ship of the country anchored in the deep sea with a private ship and Bangladesh Coast Guard tugboat after verification of their identities by the two countries.
Sabrang union parishad member Abdus Salam said after the shelling in Myanmar, many locals appeared worried.

However, Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury said that no artillery shells were dropped on Bangladesh territory on Friday.

Md Jakaria Alfaj, a resident at Shah Porir Dwip, said that he woke up in the morning hearing the sound of firing inside Myanmar.

He said that he saw helicopters and planes in the morning and the afternoon.

He added that such a sound of shelling or firing is not very familiar in the locality, so it left residents panicking.
Meanwhile, residents of Whykong said they also heard a barrage of firing along the border at about 9:15pm.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said at a programme in Chattogram on Friday that no one from Myanmar carrying firearms would be allowed anymore, confirming that some Myanmar rebels had also entered Bangladesh.
The heavily armed BGB and Coast Guard have patrolled the bordering Naf River and adjacent areas since Monday.

At the same time, the local administration has suspended the movement of civilian ships between Teknaf and Saint Martin since February 10.​

 

[Saif]

We must pursue multi-track diplomacy with Myanmar

In the present scenario, we have unfortunately failed in our diplomacy

www.thedailystar.net

We must pursue multi-track diplomacy with Myanmar​

Since the very birth of the nation, Myanmar has been dependent on China. Therefore, Chinese influence in Myanmar will remain despite a junta existing. China shares the largest border with the country, is the biggest trading partner and has also been a partner for Myanmar in dire times. We must always remember this context.

Let's come down to the second aspect, which is India. What was India's relation? British India occupied places in Myanmar, in a sense. During that time, it was the Indians who were running Myanmar. Yangon was made by the British. So there were many Indians who lived in Myanmar and were later expelled from the country in the 1950s. The relationship between India and Myanmar has never been that great.

Now let's talk about us. When Pakistan was formed in 1947, Rakhine wanted to come with Pakistan. And they had a leader, who was known as the "Rakhine Jinnah." But Pakistan then declined their request for existent technicalities.

The Tatmadaw's greatest fear is Bangladesh, and the reason is it's a Muslim majority country. They always use refererence of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, that these were countries that did not have a Muslim majority but do now. Bangladesh is overpopulated and will make Myanmar a Muslim majority country. And therefore, the Rohingya are its agents. This is their psyche.

In the present scenario, we have unfortunately failed in our diplomacy. Not just at present, but even earlier. Even after liberation, we haven't done much. Now, what do we do?

In my opinion, by this year, Rakhine will fall. If you look at the map, the areas starting from Paletwa to Mrauk U have been taken over. If you've seen the news, you'll see that the Myanmar authority has demolished two bridges, so that the Arakan Army doesn't come to Sittwe. But as per my estimation, by the end of this year, the whole of Rakhine would be taken over.

So what should Bangladesh do? I think we cannot deal with this situation through a single stream. The biggest mistake in our diplomacy was probably the bilateral approach that we took with Myanmar. Tatmadaw is in a very bad shape because they kept 18,000 troops just for Naypyidaw and Section 144 has been announced. On top of that, they have ordered compulsory military service. So we should also consider a different track for diplomacy, and we must go and try to connect with the people who in future will be calling the shots, which are the NUG and the Arakan Army. Our foreign ministry knows how to best deal with that.

We need to prepare for backup diplomacy with some kind of show of force, otherwise you can't resolve this issue. And we have to work towards making the Arakan Army believe that the Rohingya are their people. They have mentioned in one of their communications that they recognise them as Arakan Muslims, not Rohingya.​

---

Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain is former election commissioner of Bangladesh, and senior fellow at the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), North South University (NSU).​