The conflict intensified from October. First, the Three Brotherhood Alliance consisting of the Arakan Army and two other affiliated groups took control of several military outposts in Shan State on the border with China. The fighting came very close when they captured the town of Paletwa near the border with Bangladesh, which is a long way from the border with the Indian state of Mizoram. And recently fighting broke out near the borders of Tumbru and Alikhong in Bangladesh.
Naturally no one expects Bangladesh’s formal protest to have any effect on resolving or curbing the current conflict. So what should Bangladesh do?
First of all, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh should be patient. No matter what provocations may come its way, Bangladesh should in no way take any action that would give the impression that it is favoring any particular party. Our main interest with Myanmar is to deport the Rohingyas. We do not know what the final outcome of the civil war in Myanmar will be. Therefore, given the current circumstances, it is important that we maintain a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict.
Secondly, fighting continues between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army in northern Rakhine. The 200,000 or 250,000 Rohingya who still remain in Rakhine are in the same area. Even though the conflict is not against the Rohingyas, the war will certainly pose a security threat to them. They may also try to flee to Bangladesh for safety. Bangladesh cannot, under any circumstances, accept another influx of refugees. Therefore any such attempt should be opposed at all costs.