Bangladesh going to interfere in Myanmar civil war? Arakan Army intensifies…, US makes big move

New Delhi: Intense fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh, has created a dilemma for the Bangladesh Army. The Rakhine state is almost under the control of the rebel group Arakan Army, yet it is still struggling to defeat junta forces in three major cities including Sittwe. As a result, the Arakan Army has intensified the conflict. In this situation, there will be pressure on the Bangladesh Army to provide any kind of assistance or cooperation.

However, reports suggest that the Bangladesh Army Chief is reluctant to do so. At the end of last month, U.S. Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General Lieutenant General Joel JB Vowell visited Bangladesh and met with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman. In this meeting, General Zaman avoided committing to helping keep vital supply routes near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border open for the Arakan Army’s attacks.

Additionally, U.S. Deputy NSA Alex Nelson Wong spoke on the phone on April 2 with Khalilur Rahman, the senior representative of Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor regarding the Rohingya and priority issues. This is the highest level of contact so far between the Trump administration and Bangladesh’s interim authority. However, it has not been revealed whether Wong and Rahman discussed the issue of a safe zone for Rohingyas along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, but sources say it was related to U.S. interest in pressuring the Bangladesh military to keep supply routes open for the Arakan army.

The visit of the American general to Dhaka is being seen as significant, as there are reports that the Arakan Army is planning a large military offensive to seize the three cities of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung in Rakhine. These cities are still under the control of Myanmar’s military regime. In the event of an attack by the Arakan Army, the Bangladeshi territory near the border will be affected. Supply lines will need to be kept open, which can be ensured by the Bangladeshi army. However, General Zaman is cautious about deploying his forces in the neighbouring country’s conflict and has refrained from making any such commitments.

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