Bangladesh repatriates 330 Myanmar nationals who fled border clashes

DHAKA, Feb 16 (Bernama-Anadolu Agency): The Bangladesh government has repatriated around 330 Myanmar nationals who had sought refuge in the country amid border clashes between rebel factions and Myanmar's military.

On Thursday, those repatriated included 302 Border Guard Police personnel, four of their family members, two army personnel, 18 immigration officials and four civilians, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) official said that the repatriation began with 165 people departing the Inani jetty on the Bangladeshi ship, Karnafuli, at midday, and the rest followed in the afternoon after the ship returned and made a second trip.

Unlike the broader Rohingya crisis stemming from a 2017 crackdown, the current situation involves the return of Myanmar nationals involved in recent border conflicts.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, told Anadolu that the repatriation process went smoothly, and was glad that the Myanmar nationals are safely back in their homeland.

Earlier on Thursday, a delegation from the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) led by Police Lt. Col Myo Thura Naung reached Bangladesh to oversee the return of their citizens. A Myanmar Navy ship stood ready at the international maritime boundary to transport the group back home.

The repatriation process was overseen by senior officials from both countries, including the BGB’s director general and Myanmar’s ambassador to Bangladesh, with security measures in place.

Amid ongoing clashes between rebel factions and Myanmar's military in Rakhine state, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan confirmed on Tuesday that Myanmar had agreed to repatriate their security force members who had crossed the border.

The border region continues to experience heavy fighting, with reports of gunfire, shelling and concerns over escalating casualties. - Bernama-Anadolu