New Delhi: The proposed ‘Rakhine Corridor’ has emerged as another contentious issue in Bangladesh. Some sources confirmed that it is already operational and supplies in sealed containers have reached Rakhine State in a clandestine manner.
On May 8, the “advance” United States Air Force (USAF) team reportedly arrived in Dhaka signalling the imminent landing of “a large and sensitive cargo” by air with four US Air Force officers. Sources confirmed that the United States military will play a very critical role in any future military operations in the Rakhine State and the team has landed in Dhaka in this connection.
The US officers before they cross-over to Rakhine State will be holding meetings with Bangladeshi officials. Recently elevated Bangladesh National Security Advisor (NSA) and High Representative on Rohingya issue, Khalilur Rahman had a closed-door meeting with Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer in the Armed Forces Division, before meeting the Army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman on Thursday.
Rahman reportedly claimed that the UN-supported Humanitarian Aid Corridor would help to stabilise Rakhine State and create conditions for the return of refugees.
It may be mentioned that on a visit to Bangladesh in March this year, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres proposed to establish humanitarian or UN Aid corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine State wherein Bangladesh would provide logistics support. Guterres visited Cox’s Bazaar on March 14 and met Rohingya refugees and appreciated Bangladeshi people who have hosted them. He urged the international community to step up support and to resolve the Rohingya refugees crisis. Guterres had also visited Cox’s Bazar in July 2018. UNSG stated that UN and the international community have failed to stop the conflict in Myanmar. In September this year, the UNGA would organise a conference on the plight of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.
However, Tarique Rahman, BNP’s Acting Chairman publicly opposed this proposal on May 1, citing security and sovereignty issues. According to local media, while addressing the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the labour wing of BNP, Rahman had stated that the decision by the interim government to allow Bangladesh to be used as a Humanitarian Corridor to send humanitarian aid to Rakhine State in Myanmar, currently embroiled in internal politics, is a sensitive issue related directly to Bangladesh’s independence & sovereignty. The interim government did not inform the people and, moreover, did not even felt the need to hold discussions with the political parties.
There are divergent views within the Bangladeshi army on the issue of Humanitarian Corridor.
According to Northeast News, while one section primarily led by DGFI gives it a “priority in managing, controlling and ensuring stability at the border”, the present Army Chief and other GoCs understand that the US would like to play through the Bangladesh army in backing the Arakan Army (AA) and other People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) in Myanmar, challenging the Junta. A policy paper has been circulated led by the AFD & DGFI “to reduce the burden on the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) by declaring the Bangladesh-Myanmar border a Military Operations Zone”.
In this US plan, the Bangladesh Army’s Ramu-based 10th Infantry Division has emerged as a key strategic hub. The 17th and 24th Infantry Divisions of the Bangladesh Army are also expected to play critical roles in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, aimed at providing Western-backed logistical and supply support to the Arakan Army.
On April 18, Khalilur Rahman held a meeting with senior officers of the 10th Infantry Division in Ramu. It is through this Division and the proposed logistics support base in Silkhali near Teknaf, that Bangladesh is playing an indirect but significant role. Senior Bangladeshi army officials of Directorate of Military Operations are involved in plans to expand strategic influence of Bangladesh. Plans are underway to include armed Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in this process. A Sector Commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), in a specific area under Army’s 10 Division, would be the main coordinator for providing supplies to the Arakan Army. (IANS)
Also Read: American-Jewish community thanks India for eliminating Abdul Rauf Azhar
Also Watch: