Bangladesh has called for urgent international attention and cooperation to prevent regional instability caused by Myanmar’s repeated provocations along the shared border, as mortar shells continue to fall on Bangladeshi territory in clear violation of international law and bilateral norms.
In a high-level diplomatic briefing held at the State Guesthouse Padma on Tuesday, Acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khorshed Alam informed foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka about the alarming situation unfolding along the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier, particularly in areas bordering Bandarban district.
Over 30 minutes, Bangladesh laid out its growing concerns regarding Myanmar’s escalating military actions near the border — including mortar shell attacks and airspace violations — which pose direct threats to civilian life, sovereignty, and regional peace.
The diplomats present at the briefing commended Bangladesh for its firm but restrained handling of the provocations. They acknowledged Bangladesh’s “extreme patience” in the face of clear aggression, noting that Dhaka’s commitment to peace and regional stability deserves international recognition and support.
Rear Admiral Khorshed Alam reiterated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government remains resolute in its policy of “zero tolerance to terrorism” and would not allow any group to use Bangladeshi territory to foment unrest in the region.
“We are showing a lot of tolerance and we are not reacting to any provocation from the Myanmar side,” he told reporters. “The foreign diplomats highly appreciated our position.”
In contrast, Myanmar continues to deflect responsibility, claiming that non-state actors such as the Arakan Army and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) are behind the shelling incidents. However, according to international law, any military action — including the launching of mortars — within eight kilometers of an international border is considered unlawful.
Despite Myanmar’s repeated claims, Bangladesh strongly condemned the violation of its airspace and territory, summoning Myanmar’s ambassador to Dhaka multiple times over recent weeks to protest the provocations.
Myanmar has admitted that at least nine mortar shells landed on Bangladeshi soil on September 16 and 17 during reported clashes with rebel groups. Still, it continues to insist that its military operations respect the sovereignty and bilateral agreements with neighboring countries — a position viewed with skepticism in Dhaka given the repeated incursions.
Bangladesh has urged the international community, including ASEAN nations, to pressure Myanmar into ceasing its aggressive maneuvers and to hold it accountable for endangering regional security. Diplomats present at Tuesday’s briefing assured Bangladesh of conveying its concerns to their respective capitals and supporting its efforts at the United Nations.
“Our message was clear — Bangladesh will not fall into Myanmar’s trap,” Khorshed Alam said. “We are not going to give Myanmar any excuse to sideline the pressing issue of Rohingya repatriation.”
Bangladesh remains focused on upholding peace, maintaining territorial integrity, and ensuring that the repatriation of over a million Rohingya refugees — who fled military persecution in Rakhine — is not derailed by fresh border conflicts.
“We want peace, not provocation. But we will do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereignty and the safety of our citizens,” said the Acting Foreign Secretary.
With the support of international partners, Dhaka aims to reinforce its position at global forums and continue to press for an end to Myanmar’s military provocations and for a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.
