Yunus’ Bangladesh is in trouble at Chattogram border. The Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic armed group, has seized the last Myanmar military outpost in Maungdaw. Thereby, solidifying its grip over Myanmar’s 271-kilometer border with Bangladesh. This decisive move signals a brewing storm for Bangladesh, especially its Chattogram region. Did Bharat play its cards right with China and the rebels groups of Myanmar? Let’s unlock this geopolitical move!
Arakan Army: Rising Power in Rakhine
The Arakan Army announced that it had seized full control of Maungdaw town in Rakhine State on Sunday after defeating the No. 5 Border Guard Police Battalion, the last junta battalion in the frontier town on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border. (Photo: AA) #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/KfSdJbd15p
— Azadir Tirash (@azadirtirash786) December 12, 2024
Founded in 2009 by Twan Mrat Naing, the Arakan Army started with humble beginnings. They recruited jade miners and allied with the Kachin Independence Army. Over the years, it has evolved into a formidable force. In September 2024, it controlled 11 of Rakhine’s 17 townships and expanding into Chin State.
By capturing Maungdaw, the Arakan Army now commands all townships bordering Bangladesh, including Buthidaung and Paletwa.
The Arakan Army (AA), which is fighting the military junta in #Myanmar, took control after capturing the last army outpost in Maungdaw.
The capture completes the armed group's control of the northern part of Rakhine state.
AA demands a "confederate status" for Rakhine state. pic.twitter.com/qo2JzIJJVn
— The Asian Chronicle (@AsianChronicle) December 10, 2024
Rakhine’s location makes it a linchpin for regional geopolitics of the Indian Subcontinent. Its access to the Bay of Bengal and its proximity to Bangladesh elevate its importance in trade, military strategy, and ethnic dynamics. The Arakan Army are an anti-Rohingya Muslims group. They strongly oppose the anti-Buddhist and anti-Hindu ideology of Rohingya Muslims. Reports state that they want independent conferderate control of Rakhine!
#Myanmar 🇲🇲: the Arakan Army (#AA) has released footage from the moment it seized the last remaining junta base in the town of Maungdaw in northern #Rakhine.
Some junta soldiers were holding up literal chunks of styrofoam as white flags as they surrendered to the resistance. pic.twitter.com/ht1Lq13y5Z
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) December 10, 2024
The AA’s steady rise reflects Myanmar’s fractured political landscape but it also spells a significant headache for Yunus’ Bangladesh.
Hasina’s Bangladesh tried to build relations with China. Yunus’ Bangladesh is a 100% US Deep State regime. And it is currently reeling from internal strife – economic woes, political instability, Islamic radicalism, and unabated Hindu genocide under Yunus administration. The AA’s strategic timing to seize Maungdaw capitalizes on this turmoil, creating challenges for its neighbor under the Yunus regime.
AA’s Bold Move – Geopolitical Significance
- Exploiting Bangladeshi Instability: With its government facing international scrutiny and domestic unrest, Bangladesh is ill-equipped to counter new threats from its Western neighbor. Currently, the AA has stopped all exchanges of goods at the Bangladeshi border.
- Weak Junta Resistance: Myanmar’s military is collapsing under resistance from multiple ethnic groups. Thus, providing the AA with opportunities to expand its territory and influence. As a suspected Chinese-funded armed group, the AA shall ensure that the US Deep State does not control the narrative in the Bay of Bengal!
- Geopolitical Posturing: The AA’s success sends a clear message to Myanmar’s neighbor – Yunus’ Bangladesh. China seems to be watching the developments in Bharat’s backyard. Consequently, it seems that the AA may be able to help Bharat control Bangladesh’s political nonsense. Hence, in the days to come, Myanmar may play a key role in Bharat’s interaction with Yunus’ Bangladesh.
- Broader Alliance Strategy: As part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the AA is coordinating with other armed groups to gain control across Myanmar’s western and northern regions. Thus, it seems that the Yunus regime will soon have to stay alert at Chattogram border!
Implications for Bangladesh and Bharat
Chattogram’s Fragile Security:
The AA’s control over the border raises immediate concerns for the Yunus regime in Chattogram. The Chinese funded group controls all of Bangladesh-Myanmar broder. And they support the regional ethnic groups of Hindu and Buddhist in this southeastern region of Bangladesh. Arms flows, potential insurgencies, and border tensions could destabilize the area for the Yunus regime. With an anti-Rohingya stance, the AA’s claim further complicates the situation in Chatogram region!
Bharat’s Strategic Calculations:
Bharat shares porous borders with Myanmar and faces its own challenges. Some factions were directly responsible for Manipur violence. However, recent reports suggest that rebel leaders, including from the AA, were invited to India. This indicates that the AA takeover may be a well played Chinese and Indian trump card. It has the potential to pressurize the Yunus administration in the Chattogram region. For India, the AA’s rise could be both an opportunity and a threat, depending on how relations evolve.
India’s Act East Policy and its infrastructure projects, like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, hinge on stability in Rakhine. The AA’s dominance could either facilitate or hinder these initiatives, depending on its willingness to cooperate. Reports also state that as a China-funded military group, AA has attacked Indian infrastructure projects in Myanmar. However, Arakan Army’s takeover of Bangladeshi border after a meeting in India in September 2024 may give hope to Hindus of Bharat and Bangladesh.
Chittagong area between Bangladesh and Tripura that Arakkan Army has seized
Has more than 25% Hindus and 5% Christians
अब सब गणेश इच्छा pic.twitter.com/xR8y3jVVwF
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) December 11, 2024
Currently, ground reports state that the AA has stopped all trade routes with Bangladesh.
Thus, the radical regime under Yunus is in deep trouble with no provisions coming via land into Bangladesh – from Bharat or Myanmar!
Hindu Persecution in Bangladesh
Amid the Hindu genocide under Bangladesh’s current regime, the AA’s control of the border could either help or hinder Bharat’s plans for the region. To take any military or strategic action against Hindu genocide, Bharat needs cooperation from Myanmar.
The AA’s takeover will build pressure on the Bangladeshi army.
Thus, the newly hostile ‘Kanglu’ neighbor might come on bended knees to Bharat for protection. Why? Because, in cooperation with China, the AA’s move might be part of Bharat’s plan to snip off Chattogram from Yunus’ control. Thereby, giving respite to the Hindus in the region. However, the reality of the takeover will be revealed only as events unfold in the coming days!
A Storm On Bangladesh’s Horizon
Myanmar Ehinic Group 'Arakan Army' has seized Strategic Maungdaw town & full control of 271 Km Bangladesh Border, suspending all transport routes.
Bharat under #Modi Sarkar is peace loving Nation & doesn't believe in interference in other nations.. Directly! बाकी, आप समझदार हो😊 pic.twitter.com/Lmi6QsjCrR
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) December 11, 2024
The China-funded anti-Rohingya Arakan Army’s capture of Maungdaw is more than a military victory – it’s a geopolitical earthquake. It makes Chinese influence relevant in the Indian Subcontinent. For Bangladesh, especially its Chattogram region, this spells escalating tensions and potential chaos.
For Bharat, the situation presented could be a well-planned strategy to choke off Bangladesh’s supply and an opportunity to assert its influence in a rapidly shifting regional dynamic. As Hindu persecution continues in Bangladesh, the need for a proactive and united response has never been more urgent. Let’s hope this move by the Arakan Army was part of Bharat’s larger geopolitical gameplay!