Arakan Army steps up border operations, Bangladesh under pressure

The rebel organization Arakan Army (AA) has created new tension on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. After taking control of a large part of Rakhine State, they are now operating directly near the Bangladesh border. This has put Bangladesh under pressure due to the increase in kidnappings, drug-weapons smuggling and Rohingya infiltration.

Panic over fishermen kidnapping

The Arakan Army is regularly abducting fishermen from the Naf River. More than 60 fishermen have been kidnapped in August alone. According to the trawler owners, 267 fishermen have been detained since last December; most of them have been released in exchange for ransom.
Local fishermen in Teknaf said that the Arakan Army is now patrolling the river regularly with speedboats, which has created extreme uncertainty in their lives.

New routes for drug and arms smuggling

In Rakhine, Myanmar soldiers used to control the drug trade, but now the Arakan Army has taken over that area. The smuggling of Yaba, crystal meth (ice) and modern weapons has increased through the Cox’s Bazar border.

Recently, the BGB recovered modern rifles and hundreds of bullets in an operation in the Kharer Dwip area of ​​Teknaf. Officials claim that there was a plan to smuggle them into Bangladesh and use them for sabotage.

Fear of Rohingya infiltration

According to information from the security forces, 50,000 Rohingya are waiting to enter Bangladesh across the border. With the help of the Arakan Army, smuggling gangs are trying to infiltrate them step by step.
According to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh, many are trying to cross the border with money as the Arakan Army’s persecution in Rakhine has increased.

Vigilant position at the border

The BGB and Coast Guard have intensified patrols along the border to keep the situation under control. The movement of fishermen in the Naf River is being kept under strict surveillance. A new battalion has been added to the BGB to prevent drug and arms smuggling.
Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Sector Commander of the Cox’s Bazar BGB, said, “No terrorist activity will be allowed to take place inside Bangladesh. We are on the highest alert at the border.”

Analysts’ Opinion

Former Bangladesh Army officer Major General (Retd.) Md. Shahidul Haque believes that the Arakan Army is in a financial and arms crisis in view of the internal conflict in Myanmar and the upcoming elections. Therefore, they are getting involved in kidnapping, drug and arms smuggling near the Bangladesh border.