Renewed fighting in Myanmar's Rakhine State has heightened concerns along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, with reports claiming that hundreds of Rohingya have gathered along the Naf River near the Hwaikyong border in Teknaf.
They are reportedly waiting for an opportunity to enter Bangladesh, local residents feared. However, authorities concerned have not officially confirmed it.
Although no fresh airstrikes were reported on Friday, fear remains high after two consecutive days of heavy aerial bombardment in Maungdaw and Buthidaung earlier this week.
According to local sources, Myanmar's military has carried out repeated airstrikes on Arakan Army-held areas, including Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Kyauktaw. The attacks have reportedly hit not only military targets but also civilian infrastructure, forcing both Rohingya and Rakhine civilians to flee in search of safety.
The deteriorating security situation has alarmed residents of Teknaf and Ukhiya, many of whom reported hearing loud explosions from across the border over the past two days.
Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox's Bazar are also closely monitoring developments, as many still have family members in Rakhine.
"The situation in Maungdaw is extremely serious. Many Rohingya are desperately searching for safe shelter," Dil Mohammad, a community leader at Balukhali Camp-10 told Daily Waadaa.
Recalling last year's conflict, he said more than 100,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh in phases and expressed hope that those still in Myanmar would be able to remain safely in their homeland.
Border residents said memories of previous cross-border violence have added to their anxiety. Shah Alam, a resident of Shah Porir Dwip, told Waadaa that explosions on Wednesday were so powerful that they shook houses "like an earthquake."
Abdul Gafur, from Hwaikyong, said every outbreak of fighting in Myanmar creates fear among communities living near the border.
"During previous clashes, stray bullets landed near our homes. We still remember those terrifying days," he told Waadaa.
Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury told Daily Waadaa that authorities had received no confirmed information about a new Rohingya influx but were closely monitoring the border situation.
Lt Col Md. Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh's (BGB) Teknaf Battalion-2, earlier told media that security had been strengthened across the border, with additional patrols deployed in sensitive areas and river patrols intensified along the Naf River.
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