Bangladesh Warns Myanmar To Stop Cross-border Shootouts

Illustration-Israeli military on the border with Lebanon. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Bangladesh warned it would fire back if a shootout from Myanmar crossing the Naf River border continued. "We have told the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army not to fire a shot at Bangladesh. If not (followed), we will fire back," Bangladeshi Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters in Dhaka, quoted via Antara, Friday, June 21. Various ethnic groups are battling Myanmar's military junta, and as a result, Bangladeshi border guards were shot several times by accident. "What they (Myanmar) say is that if the Bangladesh flag flies, no one will shoot," Khan said. He said that the Arakan rebels had reportedly seized many areas in the State of Arakan, forcing some members of Myanmar's border forces to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The impact of Myanmar's domestic conflict has disrupted passenger traffic and goods along the Naf River, cutting communication between Cox's Bazar District in southeastern Bangladesh and St Island. Martin in Bengal Bay. The conflict also caused a shortage of food supplies on the island. Armed fighting along Naf, the only river flowing between Bangladesh and Myanmar, has been going on for more than a week since June 7. Khan said the river had lost its shipping path in several areas on the route between Teknaf and St. Martin. As a result, Bangladesh ships at several points passed through Myanmar waters and it had led to recent shootings. Although no new incidents were reported, Khan appealed to be careful for those using the route.

St. Martin is the only coral island in Bangladesh. The island has an area of about 3 square kilometers with a population of 11,000 people. The island is located northeast of Bengal Bay, about 9 kilometers from the mainland of Bangladesh. Natural beauty makes it one of the main tourist destinations in the country.