Arakan Army Training Camps on Thanchi Border in Bandarban, Raising Security Concerns

Concerns and anger are growing over the increasing activities of the Arakan Army (AA) along the nearly 272-kilometre Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The organization has reportedly been accused of operating armed training centers, in addition to drug trafficking, in the Arakan region of Rakhine State across various points along the border.

Several Arakan Army training camps are reportedly located on the Myanmar side near Border Pillar No. 70 at the Bar Modak border area of Thanchi upazila in Bandarban. Such armed training activities so close to Bangladesh have sparked renewed concern and anger among border communities. Locals allege that young people from the Rakhine community are being recruited into the Arakan Army through various inducements and, in some cases, intimidation before being given military training.

Border residents said the prolonged conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has already affected areas along Bangladesh’s border. The Arakan Army’s training activities near the border are creating additional security risks. Locals fear that trained members could increase the risk of arms and drug trafficking, illegal entry and other cross-border crimes in the future.

According to local sources, young Rakhine people on the Myanmar side are being recruited into the Arakan Army by offering various benefits and opportunities. Many are also allegedly being forced to join the organization through intimidation. They are subsequently provided with military training at different camps. The continuation of such activities near the border has increased fear and anger among local residents.

Residents of Bar Modak and surrounding border areas said limited communication and surveillance facilities in the remote hilly border region could allow any armed activity to quickly go beyond control. They have demanded increased BGB patrols, surveillance and checkpoints along the border, as well as stronger permanent security measures in vulnerable areas.

BGB Cox’s Bazar Region Commander Brigadier General Aksar Uddin Khan said additional checkpoints are being established to strengthen border security. He said all necessary security measures are being taken considering the border situation.

He said BGB surveillance and activities are continuing with the highest priority given to border security. Initiatives have also been taken to further strengthen security measures at key points along the border.

Meanwhile, security analysts said the training and recruitment activities of any armed organization across the border are a matter of concern for Bangladesh. Particularly in the remote hilly border areas, the possibility of illegal entry, arms and drug trafficking, and the spillover of conflict cannot be ruled out.

They also alleged that Arakan Army members sell drugs and weapons to hill-based militants to raise funds, which poses a serious threat to the country. Therefore, they said vulnerable sections of the border should be identified and security infrastructure there strengthened quickly.

They have called for the construction of barbed-wire fencing, additional checkpoints where necessary, increased BGB patrols and surveillance, and stronger technology-based monitoring systems. According to them, strengthening security in remote hilly border areas would make it easier to control illegal entry and cross-border crimes.

Border residents alleged that people in Bangladesh’s border areas have previously lived in fear due to internal conflict in Myanmar. Gunfights and armed clashes across the border create security risks while also disrupting the normal movement and business activities of local people. The reported establishment of new training camps has further heightened their concerns.

Concerned groups believe that the Arakan Army’s growing military capability and organizational expansion opposite Bangladesh’s 272-kilometre border cannot be taken lightly. Residents of the border areas have demanded that security measures across the entire Thanchi border, including Bar Modak, be strengthened before the situation becomes more complicated. They have also called for close monitoring of armed activities across the border and effective measures to prevent any infiltration into Bangladesh, the collection of necessary supplies and the strengthening of capabilities that could disrupt security.