Bangladesh military高层 split over aid corridor to Myanmar, with the military worried that the US will use it to interfere in Myanmar's situation.

According to a May 17 report by the Northeast News, the Bangladesh military has begun implementing the "humanitarian corridor" plan, determining a route from Silkhali to Naikhongchari, aiming to transport supplies across borders to Rakhine State of Myanmar to help refugees. On April 27, Bangladesh expressed its "principle agreement" to the UN request to establish a humanitarian corridor at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border for transporting supplies to provide assistance to Myanmar citizens.

It is reported that the route is 64 kilometers long and is close to the headquarters of the 10th Infantry Division of Bangladesh. Currently, the Bangladesh military has established supply stations in Silkhali to support the operation logistically. Notably, the Bangladesh aid corridor to Myanmar has caused divisions among the military high command: Army Chief of Staff Waker-uz-Zaman, Air Force Chief of Staff Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Navy Chief of Staff Mohammad Nazmul Hassan have reservations about the controversial "humanitarian corridor" proposal, while National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman is a core promoter of the plan.

Opponents believe that the US is attempting to covertly support the Arakan Army and other ethnic armed organizations in Myanmar through Bangladesh's military. The two sides failed to reach consensus during a two-hour meeting on May 16, and Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) who supports Rahman, did not attend the meeting - previously, Zaman attempted to dismiss him, but was vetoed by the Acting Chief Advisor Younus. Additionally, on May 11, Zaman canceled his trip to the Pacific Army Conference (LANPAC) in Hawaii, and the same day, Hasan urgently met with Tracy Ann Jacobson, the US acting envoy to Dhaka, which led to Zaman's accusation of their "differences in stance," but was again intervened by Younus.

The current tension within the military continues, with Zaman still receiving support from most commanders, and Hasan continuing to perform his duties. Previously, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin was dismissed for opposing the corridor plan, highlighting the contradictions between the government and the military.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832536517241868/

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