Bangladesh evacuating diplomats from consulate in Myanmar’s conflict-hit Rakhine State

The Myanmar state bordering Bangladesh has been hit by fighting between the military and armed rebels

The Bangladesh government is evacuating diplomats and staffers from its consulate in Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar’s Rakhine State amid intense fighting between the military and armed rebels.

“The work to move back our citizens from Sittwe, formerly Akyab, is under way,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reports at the ministry on Monday.

“The process to move back the people working in our mission is ongoing,” he added.

​The foreign minister also said Myanmar agreed to take back “soon” the personnel of its army, Border Guard Police and their family members who were chased away into Bangladesh by the rebels. 

He declined to reveal the date of the repatriation of the members of the Myanmar security forces, citing confidentiality. 

He also said the government will not allow anymore Rohingya people to enter Bangladesh as the country is already suffering for over 1 million refugees. 

“The refugee crisis has created environmental, security, drugs and other problems. So, is it possible for us to shelter more Rohingya?” he remarked.