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Myanmar rebel group Arakan Army invades Bangladesh, capturing territory in Teknaf, Bangladesh's Southernmost region

Source : Visegrád 24


Myanmar rebel group Arakan Army invades Bangladesh, capturing territory in Teknaf, Bangladesh's Southernmost region
Soldiers from the Arakan Army seen in Laiza Township, Kachin State in 2017 (Sai Zaw / Myanmar Now)

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In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, the Myanmar-based Arakan Army, one of the most powerful ethnic armed groups fighting the Myanmar military, has reportedly crossed into Bangladeshi territory, capturing areas in the southernmost Teknaf region. This bold invasion comes amid ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and raises significant concerns for Bangladesh's security and territorial integrity. Some foreign policy and defense analysts have criticized the interim government in Dhaka, led by Nobel laureate Professor Mohammed Yunus, for focusing on internal issues like the persecution of minority groups rather than prioritizing border security.


The Arakan Army’s recent victories in Myanmar have enabled the group to gain full control of the 271-kilometer border shared with Bangladesh after months of fierce battles. This includes the strategic western town of Maungdaw, marking the complete capture of northern Rakhine State. The group's dominance in the region has strengthened its bid for self-rule and represents a significant defeat for Myanmar’s military junta, which has faced repeated setbacks since seizing power in a coup in 2021.


The Arakan Army's victory in Maungdaw is symbolic of its growing power in Myanmar’s nationwide civil war. This conflict pits the military junta against pro-democracy forces and ethnic minority groups seeking autonomy. In one of the bloodiest battles of the war, the Myanmar military's final outpost in northern Rakhine, known as BGP5, fell after a prolonged siege. The insurgent forces launched a relentless assault using artillery, rockets, and small arms fire, eventually forcing the soldiers stationed there to surrender.


Reports from the ground describe the siege as brutal and costly. The Myanmar military had fortified its positions with deep trenches, bunkers, and thousands of mines. The Arakan Army, despite suffering heavy casualties, ultimately prevailed, showcasing its determination and growing capability. Video footage released by the group shows exhausted Myanmar soldiers surrendering in deplorable conditions, with many wounded and barely able to walk. The victorious insurgents have since raised their flag over the captured compound.


The loss of Maungdaw is not just a symbolic defeat for Myanmar’s junta but also a strategic blow. For the first time, the junta has lost control of an entire border region, leaving the 270-kilometer stretch between Myanmar and Bangladesh under the Arakan Army's authority. This effectively isolates Rakhine State's capital, Sittwe, from the rest of the country and sets the stage for the Arakan Army to potentially become the first insurgent group in Myanmar to achieve complete control of a state.


The fallout of the conflict has spilled into Bangladesh, where tensions are rising in Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf. Locals, including the Rohingya refugee population, are increasingly fearful of violence crossing the border. The Teknaf upazila administration has imposed restrictions on river traffic along the Naf River, which separates Myanmar and Bangladesh, citing security concerns. As a result, trade between the two countries has come to a halt, with boats that ferry goods and passengers to St. Martin’s Island remaining grounded.


The Arakan Army’s expanding influence is becoming a growing threat to Bangladesh’s border security. While their primary objective is to weaken Myanmar's military junta, the group has shown hostility toward the Rohingya population in the region, raising fears of further atrocities. Reports suggest that the Arakan Army may seek to wipe out the remaining Rohingyas as part of its larger strategy, a development that could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.


The situation poses a significant challenge for Bangladesh’s interim government. As the Arakan Army consolidates its control over Rakhine State and ventures into Bangladeshi territory, the question remains whether Dhaka is adequately prepared to counter this growing threat. Critics argue that the government must urgently address its border security vulnerabilities to prevent further incursions and protect its territorial integrity. The unfolding crisis serves as a stark reminder of the complex and volatile dynamics in the region, with implications that extend beyond Bangladesh and Myanmar.

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