The ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military junta and rebel groups, notably the Arakan Army (AA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA), is wreaking havoc on ordinary civilians, particularly near the Bangladesh border.
The junta has intensified its military response against the rebels, employing drones and airstrikes, while the AA’s armed operations in residential areas have escalated civilian casualties. This has turned parts of Rakhine and Kachin states into zones of widespread destruction.
On January 22, 27 civilians—including women and children—were killed in an airstrike on a family and religious gathering in Kachin state. Just two days earlier, on January 20, an airstrike by junta forces on an AA-controlled facility in Kyauktao and Pannagyun, Rakhine, claimed the lives of 21 soldiers and their relatives. Analysts note that the Arakan Army’s operations in densely populated areas have significantly increased the risk to civilians, violating international norms.
Impact on Bangladesh:
The conflict is spilling over into Bangladeshi territory, threatening border communities:
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Naikshongchhari: Mortar shells fired by both sides landed in Naikshongchhari Upazila of Bandarban, killing a CNG auto-rickshaw driver and a Rohingya woman. Schools and madrasas along the border were forced to close.
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Teknaf: Explosions near the Hoa Kyung and Hnila border at midnight shattered windows and walls in local homes. Residents report sleepless nights amid the proximity of armed clashes.
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Ukhia: Fleeing Rohingya from Rakhine attempted to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested and pushed back several hundred individuals, highlighting the growing risk of new refugee influxes.
Spread of Conflict to Civilian Facilities:
Colonel Naw Bu, spokesperson for the KIA, claimed that junta forces deliberately target hospitals, schools, and religious sites. Observers note that the rebels’ use of civilian facilities as shields has compounded the danger. Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) reported that in 2025 alone, 2,326 people were killed and thousands of homes and offices destroyed in junta attacks.
Elections and Rising Tensions:
Myanmar is currently holding national elections in three phases. Following the first two phases, deadly attacks around the third phase on January 25 targeted the AA’s naval base and KIA positions. Experts fear prolonged conflict due to the AA’s unyielding stance and the junta’s retaliatory measures, which may further destabilize border areas in Bangladesh, including Teknaf, Ukhia, Naikshongchhari, and Alikadam.
Humanitarian observers express concern over the international community’s silence, warning that the ongoing violence poses a direct threat to Bangladesh and could exacerbate the refugee crisis.
