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Arakan Army has claimed that it has seized Muangdaw, taking control of the border with Bangladesh | Source: The Daily Star
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Arakan Army secures control of the Bangladesh Border
The Arakan Army (AA), one of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups fighting Myanmar’s military, has captured the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, securing full control of the 270-kilometer border with Bangladesh.
Bangladeshi authorities have bolstered security along the border. Boat services between Teknaf and Saint Martin Island have been suspended, with additional travel restrictions imposed along the Naf River, which forms the boundary between southeastern Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar. The AA claims that junta soldiers and their “Islamic extremist” allies—such as the Arakan Rohingya Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation—are fleeing to Bangladesh, necessitating tightened river transport controls. AA sees Dhaka as providing direct or indirect support to these groups.
With the AA’s growing influence, some have urged Bangladesh’s interim government to engage with the group to address the prolonged stalemate in Rohingya repatriation. Over one million Rohingyas remain in Bangladesh’s Cox's Bazar. Bangladesh has shown openness to reaching out to the AA, with the Foreign Secretary stating that Dhaka will do “anything” to protect its national interests, prioritizing the repatriation of the Rohingyas. In March 2024, an Indian delegation held talks with the Arakan Army inside Myanmar regarding the road network critical for Indian infrastructure projects in the region.
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Israel and Turkey in Syria
Israel’s government has approved a USD 11 million plan to encourage demographic growth in the Golan Heights. Israel’s Defence Minister Katz said that following the fall of the Assad regime, the threat to Israel from Syria persists, "despite the moderate image that the rebel leaders claim to present". Israel says that its military actions are only intended to prevent a potential terrorist takeover of areas bordering Israel, and that Israel is not interested in a conflict with Syria. Meanwhile, the head of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and de-facto leader of Syria, al-Golani, has also suggested that Syria was not interested in any new conflicts, and that Israel was using “false pretext” to justify its attacks on Syria. Meanwhile, Israel has also called for an end to Turkish-backed attacks against Kurds in Syria. Israel is wary of Turkey’s growing influence in Syria, with concerns within Israel about Turkey’s expanding influence in Syria, particularly regarding Ankara’s potential control over Syrian airspace, which could limit Israel's operational freedom in the region.
Turkey’s Growing Influence in Africa
Turkey has offered to mediate in resolving tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Sudanese government accuses the UAE of providing weapons to its rival paramilitary force and prolonging the ongoing civil war. This offer, made to Sudan’s military leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, follows Turkey’s successful brokering of a deal between Ethiopia and Somalia. The Ethiopia-Somalia deal aimed at resolving a dispute over Ethiopia's agreement to recognize Somaliland's independence in exchange for leasing land for a military base along Somaliland’s coastline. The joint declaration from that meeting acknowledged Somalia's territorial integrity while recognizing the benefits of Ethiopia’s access to the sea and laid the groundwork for further talks.Turkey has become a significant influence in Africa, presenting itself as an alternative to both the West and China.Separately, it is noteworthy that despite the recent reconciliation in their ties, Turkey and the UAE have long competed for influence and were on opposing sides across several conflicts in North Africa and the Somali peninsula.
Sri Lankan President in India; Adani to Go Solo on Colombo Port Project
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) withdrew the USD 553 million loan request from the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, opting instead to fund the Colombo West International Terminal in Sri Lanka using internal resources, as the conglomerate battles bribery allegations brought by the US. Sri Lankan authorities, meanwhile, have expressed support for the project’s continuation, indicating no issue with Adani using its own funds. This came days before Sri Lankan President Dissanayake’s India visit during which he assured that his country will not allow its territory to be used in “any manner” that is detrimental to India's interest- an apparent reference to Indian concerns about China docking its naval surveillance and spy ships at Sri Lankan ports. While trade and investments were the focus of talks between President Dissanayake and PM Modi, there were no “detailed discussions” on the Adani investments, according to the Indian Foreign Secretary Misri.
Read our latest CD Briefing on Kenya and the Adani Deals Withdrawal.
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