A new diplomatic flashpoint has emerged in Bangladesh, where a proposed international humanitarian corridor connecting the country to Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine state has triggered intense friction between the interim government and the military.
The Rakhine Corridor, intended to connect southeastern Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar to Myanmar’s Rakhine state, was pitched as a humanitarian and logistical lifeline. However, it’s now become the center of a political storm, revealing deep cracks within Bangladesh’s power structure.
Military Slams the Corridor, Government Forced to Backtrack
The plan received backing from interim government chief advisor Mohammad Yunus, reportedly under U.S. influence. But Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, delivered a scathing public critique, labeling the corridor a threat to national sovereignty and calling it a “bloody corridor.”
General Zaman criticized the government’s decision-making process, particularly the lack of military consultation on a matter of such strategic importance. Following the military’s strong opposition, the Yunus administration made a sudden U-turn, claiming no final decision had been made. This public disagreement has exposed a widening rift between the military and the interim leadership.
What Is the Rakhine Corridor and Why Is It So Controversial?
The corridor was initially proposed as a humanitarian route to assist civilians trapped in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a region long plagued by ethnic violence, especially against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The project gained traction amid renewed fighting in Myanmar and pressure from international human rights groups demanding access to affected populations.
However, the deeper geopolitical tension lies in the United States’ involvement. Many believe the corridor is part of a broader American strategy to aid anti-junta rebel forces in Myanmar. The U.S. has a history of backing rebel groups in various global conflicts — a fact not lost on Bangladesh’s military.
Myanmar’s military junta enjoys close ties with China, raising fears that Bangladesh could get dragged into a proxy conflict between two global superpowers.
Yunus Between Washington and Beijing
Initially seen as leaning toward the West, interim leader Mohammad Yunus surprised many by warming up to China after taking office. His first foreign visit was to Beijing, signaling a shift. Following in his footsteps, Army Chief General Zaman also visited China recently — a move that many interpret as a strategic alignment with Beijing amid U.S. pressure.
As tensions over the corridor grow, Bangladesh finds itself walking a tightrope between two competing powers — with internal divisions now spilling into public view.
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