Bangladeshi border residence fear spillover of Myanmar conflict

Border residents in Bangladesh are facing severe consequences as a result of the conflict between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Army group, ranging from stray bullets to an influx of refugees.

Bangladesh, which has been trying to repatriate over 1 million Rohingya refugees it has been hosting since 2017, may now have to deal with a new wave of refugees from Myanmar.

Despite the escalating situation at the border, Bangladeshi officials have expressed frustration as their attempts to communicate with the junta-led Myanmar have been unsuccessful.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), the conflict has resulted in an estimated death toll of at least 50,000 since the 2021 military coup, including at least 8,000 civilians.

Around 800,000 Muslim Rohingyas live in Myanmar with around 80% living in the Western state of Rakhine.