Home Minister: Further firing from Myanmar will be met with retaliation
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Arakan Army has reportedly captured many areas in Rakhine State
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that both the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army have been warned not to fire at Bangladesh. If they do, Bangladesh will retaliate.
He made these remarks in response to a question at the home ministry office in the Secretariat on Thursday.
The home minister explained that various ethnic groups are fighting against the Myanmar government. The Arakan Army has reportedly captured many areas in Rakhine State, causing the Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar to flee toward the Bangladeshi border for protection.
"We cannot say exactly what the situation is there," he said, adding: "But I can confirm that they sometimes mistakenly fired at our BGB team. We have informed them not to shoot if they see the Bangladesh flag."
Regarding the Naf River, the home minister mentioned that some navigable sections have been lost on the Bangladeshi side, affecting passage from Teknaf to Saint Martin’s. This necessitates crossing through Myanmar's territory, contributing to the problem.
He said: “Sometimes the Myanmar Army, sometimes the Arakan Army open fire. We have told both that if they shoot, we will shoot back. The two Myanmar ships that were here have been taken back. We hope there will be no more shooting. Nevertheless, those traveling through that route should remain cautious.”