Nightmare of St. Martin’s for the Arakan Army
The Naf River and the waters around St. Martin’s Island in Cox’s Bazar are particularly affected by the ongoing internal violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, which has greatly increased security concerns along Bangladesh’s border and marine zones. The 272-kilometer frontier has seen significant challenges to traditional border administration since the Arakan Army took control of large areas of it. Local fishing communities, marine vessel shipping, and cross-border trade have all been directly affected by this unstable situation, which has caused significant concern among the residents of vulnerable border towns who face indirect dangers from the rising conflict in neighboring Myanmar.
The Arakan Army’s regular detentions of Bangladeshi fishermen in the context of regional instability have made maritime security in the Teknaf-St. Martin’s Channel a key issue. Over 400 fishermen have been detained captive at various points; however, some have been released due to diplomatic and security measures, such as the August deportation of 24 people, including 18 Bangladeshis and 6 Rohingya. Additionally, since Maungdaw was taken over, the Arakan Army’s navigation restrictions along the Myanmar section of the Naf River have severely hampered supply lines, public transportation, and crucial commercial watercraft activities that are traveling toward St. Martin’s Island.
Bangladeshi law enforcement organizations have actively improved defensive postures on land and at sea in response to these complicated issues. To stop any mortar fire explosions or illegal infiltration, the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conduct regular, high-alert surveillance patrols throughout the Bay of Bengal, the Naf River, and coastal territorial seas. In January 2026, the BGB Director General opened new border outposts in the St. Martin’s and Teknaf beach areas, reflecting this increased state preparations. At the same time, discussions regarding future border barrier projects to prevent smuggling and protect sovereignty are ongoing.
Cox’s Bazar-4 Member of Parliament and District BNP President Mr. Shahjahan Chowdhury strongly stated that St. Martin’s Island is an integral and sovereign territory of Bangladesh in response to regional misinformation and public concerns over the island’s legitimacy. Declaring that the country is fully capable of preserving every square inch of its borders, he urged people to keep patience while stressing the need for the government and relevant security services to stay alert against any negative effects from the outside world. A top BGB official confirmed this strong national attitude, stating that Myanmar’s internal problems are solely their responsibility and strongly warning that any offensive intentions by the Arakan Army into Bangladeshi territory will remain an unattainable goal.
Although the civil war in Myanmar is not an internal issue for Bangladesh, security analysts argue that the country must constantly protect its people and territory using a mix of strong maritime enforcement and strong diplomatic channels. Locals emphasize that protecting St. Martin’s Island is essential for both tourism and national security, with little opportunity for operational negligence. Bangladesh continues to manage regional conflict without compromising its territorial integrity or maritime sovereignty in the Bay of Bengal by balancing clear public assurance with greater state resilience led by the BGB and Coast Guard.
