Arakan Army signals willingness to forge strategic partnership with Bangladesh’s new government

By Admin 26 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

26 February 2026, Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) has expressed its intention to establish a strategic partnership with Bangladesh’s new government, citing long standing historical ties between the two regions.

In a congratulatory message to newly appointed Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the Arakan Army signaled its readiness for closer cooperation, according to a report by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

The message stated that the Arakan Army is prepared to work with Bangladesh on the Muslim refugee crisis and other humanitarian issues, the BSS report said.

In what analysts described as a goodwill gesture, the Arakan Army recently released several Bangladeshi fishermen who had been detained for illegal fishing in Arakan waters.

Observers view the move as an effort to foster positive relations with the newly formed administration in Dhaka.

Border affairs experts noted that communication encountered challenges under the previous interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, but said the current elected government is expected to engage more actively on trade, border stability and the repatriation of Muslim refugees.

“The interim government faced certain limitations in its engagement with Arakan. However, the current government has a public mandate for national change. I believe it will prioritize regional trade, border security and, crucially, resolving the Muslim refugee crisis it has managed for years,” a border affairs observer told DMG.

The Arakan Army previously established trade links with Bangladesh through the Kanyinchaung Economic Zone and border points such as Taungpyo Letwe after seizing control of Maungdaw. However, trade has largely stalled due to border instability and restrictions imposed by Bangladesh.

Analysts also pointed to the continued presence of armed groups, including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) and Rohingya Islami Mahaz, in the Maungdaw border area as a significant security concern requiring coordinated efforts between the Arakan Army and the Bangladesh government.

“In his message to Dr. Khalilur Rahman, AA chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing addressed the future of bilateral relations. This raises hopes for improvements in border trade and the refugee issue. If ties are strengthened, we can expect more substantive discussions concerning the Muslim population,” an Arakanese politician told DMG.

Approximately 1.3 million Muslim refugees are currently sheltering in Bangladesh. While Dhaka continues discussions with the UN and international partners on repatriation, observers believe engagement between the new Bangladeshi government and Arakan State could produce more practical outcomes.