Camp Correspondent
February 14, 2025
Tensions along the Naf River border have escalated after the Arakan Army (AA) seized a fishing boat carrying timber from Sittwe, Rakhine State, destined for Teknaf, Bangladesh. The boat was intercepted on February 10 and is now anchored in the Kyareng Khali canal in Maungdaw Township. Four Bangladeshi fishermen on board remain in AA custody, according to The Daily Star.
Jasim Uddin, General Manager of the inland port, confirmed the boat’s capture. Timber trader Abdul Kader, who owned the cargo, stated,
“AA seized my boat carrying 35 tons of timber. I heard they are conducting an investigation. Myanmar traders are in contact with the AA, and they informed us that the boat will be released after inspection.”
This incident is part of a series of similar events along the border. On January 16, the AA had seized three cargo ships traveling from Yangon to Teknaf, with some vessels only released later in January and early February. The latest capture has heightened concerns among Bangladeshi traders and fishermen who operate along the Naf River.
Families of the detained fishermen report that AA forces fired shots and took the fishermen along with their boat near the mouth of the Naf River on Tuesday morning. Since then, there has been no update on their whereabouts, adding to growing anxieties.
Lt. Col. Ashiqur Rahman, commander of BGB Battalion-2 in Teknaf, stated that although no official complaint has been filed, authorities have been informed and are working actively to resolve the situation.
The situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border remains tense, with local residents and fishermen increasingly fearful as security concerns continue to mount.
Ref: The Daily Star
