The situation remained tense along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Friday after the military halted two days of airstrikes targeting areas under the control of the Arakan Army in Rakhine State.
Despite the lull, fear continues to grip residents along the Bangladesh border, while Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols amid concerns over a possible fresh influx of Rohingyas.
According to residents in Bangladesh’s border areas and sources in Rakhine, Myanmar’s military launched airstrikes on Wednesday targeting Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships of Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army has established control over large areas.
The powerful explosions were heard across Bangladesh’s border areas, particularly in Teknaf, where residents reported that the blasts shook homes from Jadimura to Shah Porir Dwip over two consecutive days. However, no explosions were reported on Friday.
Fearing that renewed fighting could trigger another wave of displacement, BGB has strengthened surveillance along both the land border and the Naf River.
Officials said the force remains on high alert to prevent any fresh cross-border movement of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.
Residents said four heavy explosions were heard within a five-minute span between 9:37pm and 9:42pm on Wednesday, causing panic in border communities.
The renewed conflict has also heightened anxiety among Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox’s Bazar, many of whom have relatives still residing in Rakhine.
Mohammad Elias, a Rohingya refugee who fled Maungdaw during the 2017 military crackdown and now lives in a camp in Ukhiya, said he has been in regular contact with family members in Myanmar.
Quoting his relatives, Elias said airstrikes on Wednesday and Thursday targeted Arakan Army positions in Maungdaw and Buthidaung, while nearby Rohingya villages were also affected.
He claimed several Rohingyas were killed or injured and that between 20 and 30 houses were destroyed or damaged in the attacks. His account could not be independently verified.
Elias said thousands of Rohingyas remain in Maungdaw under growing uncertainty, with many preparing to cross into Bangladesh if the fighting escalates further.
On the Bangladeshi side, border residents described feeling strong tremors from the explosions.
Md Anisur Rahman, a resident of Shah Porir Dwip along the Naf River, said flames were visible across the river following one of the explosions, creating panic among local residents.
BGB has reinforced patrols from Shah Porir Dwip to Hnila, deploying additional personnel, river patrols and drones to monitor the frontier and prevent unauthorised border crossings and smuggling.
Ramu Sector Commander of BGB Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed said the force remains fully alert as armed clashes in Rakhine often lead to attempts by displaced people to enter Bangladesh.
“We have intensified patrols and surveillance across the border and are prepared to respond to any situation,” he said.
