Bangladesh, a nation historically navigating its political and economic ambitions amidst regional challenges, is now facing intensified security concerns. The origins of the current Bangladesh crisis can arguably be traced back to August 14, 1947, when the region was carved out as East Pakistan during the partition of India. For over two decades, East Pakistan was subjected to exploitation by West Pakistan (now Pakistan), leading to growing dissatisfaction and unrest. The tipping point came on March 26, 1971, when East Pakistan declared independence, triggering a brutal genocide by the West Pakistani military. Over nine harrowing months, approximately three million people were killed, and around ten million sought refuge in neighboring India. Nearly 200000 fatherless children were born as a direct consequence of the indiscriminate rape of nearly one million Bangladeshi women. In response to these atrocities, India launched a military intervention, decisively defeating Pakistan in a mere 13 days. A record 93000 armed soldiers from West Pakistan surrendered to the Indian Army without any condition. On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation. The second phase of the Bangladesh crisis began on that day itself.
Since gaining independence, Bangladesh has endured a turbulent political landscape, marked by multiple military coups. On August 5, 2024, the elected government of Sheikh Hasina was toppled amidst mass protests. Seeking asylum in India, Sheikh Hasina’s removal paved the way for a regime led by unelected Mohammad Yunus, who has been accused of many financial corruption charges. Yunus steered the country towards radical Islamic policies. Under his leadership, anti-India propaganda has surged at an astronomical proportion. Rising violence against minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and tribal communities is also at an all-time high post-independence in Bangladesh. The economic situation has also deteriorated, with inflation at an all-time high and fears of a looming food crisis adding to the nation’s woes.
Bangladesh crisis is worsening day after day as many Islamic terrorrist organizations are trying to catch fish in this muddy water. According to Indian intelligence reports right from ISIS to Al Qaeda many dreaded international Islamic terrorrist organizations have fuelled protests in Bangladesh. These terrorrist organizations’ members have spilled over all over India in the last few years. Now they are plotting and trying to execute many terror assassination attempts in India. Various Indian intelligence departments are apprehending these Bangladeshi terror kingpins from the different states of India. Indian intelligence departments are scared of assassination attempts on prominent political and religious leaders. They are also scared of mass terrorist attacks on the common Indian. All these are the direct results of the Bangladesh crisis. However, in this blog, we will discuss 6 scarring facts about the Arakan Army that Bangladesh is truly scared of right now. However, in this blog, we will discuss five scarring facts about the Arakan Army that Bangladesh is truly scared of right now. These facts could accelerate the Bangladesh crisis soon.
Arakan Army
Established in 2009 with backing from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in northern Myanmar, the Arakan Army (AA) initially aimed to secure greater autonomy for the Rakhine people. Over the years, the AA has grown exponentially in both influence and capability, particularly since 2015. By exploiting grievances against Myanmar’s central government and employing effective guerrilla warfare tactics, the AA has transitioned into a powerful insurgent group. Today, it controls significant swathes of Rakhine State and has forged strategic alliances, positioning itself as a key player in the regional geopolitical landscape. Myanmar’s complex ethnic conflict between local Buddhists and Muslims dates back many decades. Presently, AA has captured almost all of the Arakan province and soon they might pronounce it as a sovereign state. Its rise has also escalated tensions along the India-Bangladesh-Myanmar border, further complicating the already precarious security environment in the region. Escalating tensions in Myanmar, fueled by the rise of the Arakan Army (AA), have further compounded the Bangladesh crisis and challenges.
Military Might of the Arakan Army
The Arakan Army’s military prowess is both formidable and concerning. Reports estimate that the AA commands over 100,000 well-trained fighters, armed with advanced weaponry, including automatic rifles, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades. According to many sources, the AA troops getting bigger every day because many soldiers from the Chinese-sponsored Myanmar’s Junta Army leaving the force to join AA. Their mastery of guerrilla tactics and intimate knowledge of Rakhine’s rugged terrain have enabled them to maintain control over strategic territories.
In stark contrast, the Bangladesh Army, despite its larger size, struggles with outdated equipment, operational inefficiencies, and pervasive corruption. The leadership of that army is infested by incompetent leaders who have no strategic depth. Meanwhile, foot soldiers also do not commit the nation. They have never fought any war practically and the day AA ordered them to not use Naaph River they simply left the entire 270 KM border area unguarded. Slowly and steadily Bangladesh Army is getting constrained in Bangladesh’s Chittagong state. These shortcomings leave Bangladesh vulnerable to the AA’s incursions and hinder its ability to address broader security threats effectively.
Geological Advantage of the Arakan Region
The Arakan region, or Rakhine State, is of immense geological significance due to its strategic location. Bordered by the Bay of Bengal, it serves as a crucial gateway connecting South Asia with South East Asia. The region’s dense forests and mountainous terrain provide natural defensive advantages for insurgent groups like the Arakan Army, complicating military operations for neighboring nations, including Bangladesh. Furthermore, its proximity to key maritime trade routes enhances its importance, making it a focal point for economic and strategic interests among regional powers. This unique geography has transformed Arakan into a critical area for countries such as India, China, and Myanmar. A sovereign state with battle battle-ready army would be a matter of great headache for the unprepared Bangladeshi Army.
Geopolitical Advantage of the Arakan Region
The Arakan region’s geopolitical significance cannot be overstated. For India, it forms a vital part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which seeks to connect India’s northeastern states with international markets via Myanmar. For China, the region is integral to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly through the Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port, which provides a strategic entry point to the Indian Ocean. Pakistan, aiming to counter India’s regional influence, has been accused of covertly supporting insurgent activities in the area. Meanwhile, the United States views Arakan as a key location to counterbalance China’s growing dominance in the region.
During the first quarter of this year, Seikh Hassina informed global media about the US’ ambition in this area. According to Sheikh Hasina an envoy from the US deep state visited her this year and asked her to hand over Saint Martin Island to the US where they would build up an Army base to counterbalance China and India in that region. However, Hassina allegedly snubbed the proposal immediately; consequently, the US deep-state overturned the Hassina government in a forced protest. However, that claim seems quite plausible as the reason behind that violent protest was so baseless, and the firing in that protest was also from alleged outsiders. Now unelected regime of Bangladesh threatens the Indian government and then they will annex a vast portion of India militarily. Meanwhile, their army has left around 20% of their land in fear of the Arakan Army. These competing interests have made the region a hotspot for geopolitical maneuvering and rivalry.
Economic Advantage of the Arakan Region
The Arakan region’s abundant natural resources significantly contribute to its economic potential. Rich reserves of oil and natural gas have attracted investments from international players, including India’s ONGC and China’s CNPC. Apart from that the area is full of precious natural precious and semi-precious gemstones. Additionally, the region’s fertile lands and vast marine resources make it a hub for agriculture and fisheries. However, the exploitation of these resources remains a contentious issue, with local communities often marginalized. The Arakan Army’s control over resource-rich territories has enabled it to generate substantial revenue, bolstering its operational capabilities and expanding its influence. This economic leverage adds another layer of complexity to the region’s already volatile dynamics.
Shared Struggle of Non-Muslim Communities
Non-Muslim Hindus and Buddhists in both Bangladesh and Arakan have long faced systemic persecution and violence. In Bangladesh, Hindu minorities frequently endure targeted genocide. As per sources, the Hindu population of Bangladesh was 33% in 1947 and presently it’s around 7%. Many sources claim it is around 5% at maximum. Rampant religious discrimination forced conversion to Islam, and forceful encroachment of properties, heinous torture against children and women are the reasons behind that decline. The diminishing Hindus-Buddhist population of Bangladesh was the minority population right from the beginning.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, the majority of Buddhist-Hindus communities are caught in the crossfire of ethnic and religious conflicts. This nation has been under Chinese-supported Military rule since 1962. The common Buddhists-Hindus community has been fighting for a democratic sovereign state for so many years. Needless to say, Military dictators have suppressed all these voices quite mercilessly. Under such circumstances when many regional groups picked up weapons to liberate their motherland then Rohingya Muslims of Arakan province played a crucial role. In Arakan Rohingya Muslims were the majority and they joined the Myanmar Junta Army and started killing the common Buddists-Hindus of that region. The Junta Government convinced them to offer a sovereign Muslim state and in return, Rohingyas decided to wipe out the entire non-Muslim population of that state.
As a violent consequence of the systematic genocide, these non-violent Buddhists-Hindus experienced forced conversion, violence against women and children, and property-grabbing issues at the hands of Rohingya Muslims. When they felt an existential crisis then many local Buddhists and Hindu people resorted to violence to protect their land, identity, and culture. These shared struggles have fostered a sense of solidarity between these communities, uniting them in their fight for survival and autonomy. The rise of the Arakan Army has provided a platform for these marginalized groups to resist oppression. The Rohingya Muslims of this area are still associated with many terrorist organizations and they are plotting and executing many attacks in the Arakan region.
The Ararakan Army-Bangladesh crisis highlights the intricate interplay of military, geological, geopolitical, and economic factors that shape regional dynamics. Many news sources are speculating on their next move inside Bangladesh. The reality is the sudden rise of the Arakan Army has exposed vulnerabilities in Bangladesh’s defense and governance sector. It has blatantly exposed how the Bangladesh army has traditionally been safeguarded by the mighty Indian Army and always enjoyed a safe resort as long as they were surrounded by India. This new overnight regime shift and Indian anonymity have suddenly exposed them on the battlefield. While the strategic importance of the Arakan region continues to draw global attention. Addressing this multifaceted crisis requires a balanced approach that prioritizes national security, regional cooperation, and the protection of marginalized communities’ rights. For similar interesting web content on geopolitics follow our Geopolitics Events section.