Hearing of gunfire resumes along Teknaf border, following 18-month hiatus from Myanmar
In the border town of Teknaf, Bangladesh, law enforcement personnel are on high alert due to escalating tensions in the region. The Arakan Army, an armed insurgent group based in Myanmar's Rakhine State, claimed full control of the 271-kilometre stretch of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in December 2024.
On the night of August 23, gunfire was heard in the areas of Kumirkhali, Shilkhali, and Saidong in Myanmar. The gunfire was reportedly intense and intermittent, and was also heard by residents near the Hwaikyang border. Lt Col Ashikur Rahman, commander of the BBG-2 Teknaf Battalion, confirmed the incident, stating that they are not allowing anyone to enter illegally and have increased patrols at potential crossing points.
The gunfire originated from clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups. No new information was provided about the Rohingyas continuing to flee to Bangladesh due to atrocities in Rakhine or the significant number of Rohingyas gathering near the border. Md Hossain, a leader from the Ukhiya Rohingya camp, reported that the Rohingya continue to flee to Bangladesh due to ongoing atrocities in Rakhine.
Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, the upazila nirbahi officer of Teknaf, learned about the gunfire through local media. Lt Col Rahman also reported learning about the gunfire from across the border on Friday night, but it is beyond the jurisdiction of his unit. Sirajul Mostofa Chowdhury Lalu, a member of ward-2 of the Hwaikyang union parishad in Teknaf, also reported hearing gunfire from the Kumirkhali, Shilkhali, and Saidong areas across the border in Myanmar.
The BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) is actively working to prevent illegal border crossings. On Friday, 62 Rohingya individuals were intercepted while attempting to cross the border into Bangladesh. It is unclear who currently commands the Arakan Army since December 2024. The Arakan Army controls parts of Rakhine State in Myanmar.
The ongoing tensions along the border and the continued flight of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh remain a significant concern for both countries. The situation is being closely monitored by law enforcement personnel in Teknaf and the BGB, and efforts are being made to maintain security and prevent illegal border crossings.
