Myanmar calls Bangladesh ambassador to clarify its stance

Myanmar has called Bangladesh Ambassador to the country to explain its stance on the current situation on border. 

Zaw Phyo Win, Director-General of Strategic Studies and Training Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar, summoned Bangladesh ambassador to the country Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury on Monday morning.

While shifting blame on Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an armed rebel group of the country, alongside the Arakan Army for the volatile situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, Zaw Phyo Win claimed that the groups have created the ongoing situation in the border area to destroy the “cordial relations” between the two countries.

Myanmar foreign ministry disclosed the information on its Facebook page on Monday night.

Speaking to reporters, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury said Myanmar foreign ministry invited him to clarify their position on the border situation.

While explaining the border situation to the Bangladesh ambassador, Zaw Phyo Win said Arakan Army and ARSA members on September 16 attacked with mortar shells at Border Guard Police’s border outpost no. 31 at Taung PyoWell (left). 

Three mortar shells fell inside the Bangladesh territory during that attack. Besides, Arakan Army and ARSA members on September 16 and 17 carried out separate attacks with mortar shells at BGP’s border outpost no. 34 at Taung PyoWell (right). 

At that time nine mortar shells fell inside the Bangladesh territory.

Zaw Phyo Win further said Myanmar always follows the bilateral agreements between the two countries and maintain international protocol  while taking necessary security measures near the border. 

Myanmar also respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, including Bangladesh, he added.

Assuring Bangladesh of Myanmar’s cooperation in maintaining peace along the borders of the two countries, he placed emphasis on full and mutual cooperation of the Bangladesh side.