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Myanmar ship to carry home security men

FE REPORT | Friday, 9 February 2024


Myanmar is sending ship to take home its border guards and army personnel who fled Rakhine state to Bangladesh following the Arakan Army assault early this week.
"We are in the process of finalising the sea route through which a Myanmar ship will take back these personnel," said foreign ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin during a weekly briefing.
A total of 327 members of Myanmar forces, including BGP (Border Guard Police), army personnel and immigration officials, have so far taken refuge in Bangladesh.
Ms Sabrin said the ship would cruise through deep sea to avoid the area close to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border where infighting was raging between Myanmar state forces and the militia.
The Bangladesh ambassador in Myanmar had a meeting with the deputy foreign minister of the conflict-ridden country to discuss the immediate return of these personnel, she told the media.
Responding to a query, the spokesperson said the Myanmar security personnel were provided shelter as per international law following disarmament immediately after their arrival here.
Providing shelter to the Rohingya and to the security personnel is not the same thing, she said in reply to why more Myanmar people were allowed here.
Ms Sabrin said Bangladesh earlier proposed to send back these personnel by air with intent to ensure the fastest return of these people.
About the loss of two Bangladeshis near Tumbru border, she said the Myanmar government expressed its regret over the incident after shelling from inside Myanmar.
In reply to another query, Mr Sabrina said Bangladesh has currently 81 diplomatic missions in 60 countries.
Talks are going on to open another one on the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), according to her.

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