AA Chief Receiving Treatment in Bangladesh Denied by Bangladesh Foreign Minister

Speculation that the chief of the AA (Arakan Army) armed group is receiving medical treatment in Bangladesh has been denied by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Kalilur Rahman, according to the Bay of Bengal Post news website. Dr. Kalilur Rahman told reporters on July 5 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the government has no information regarding reports that the AA leader is in Bangladesh. When asked about the reports, Dr. Rahman replied, "I have no information on this matter." The remarks come as the Myanmar military has been intensifying operations against the AA in areas near the Bangladesh border, including Buthidaung and Maungdaw in Rakhine State. Locals in Teknaf, a border town in Bangladesh, have reported hearing intense explosions and gunfire from across the border in recent days. The escalating conflict has raised concerns about the potential for another influx of Bengali (Rohingya in the original text) refugees into Bangladesh. Unconfirmed reports indicate that hundreds of Bengalis are gathering near the Naf River, attempting to enter Bangladesh, prompting the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) to increase patrols in sensitive border areas. Kalilur Rahman stated that the government is closely monitoring the current security situation. "We are monitoring the border situation. We have also increased patrols along the border," he said. Ref: Bay of Bengal Post