Mysterious Activities in Bangladesh Army Over ‘Humanitarian Corridor’!

Staff Reporter

An invisible tension grips the confidential chambers of Bangladesh’s national security and military leadership. A mysterious plan, dubbed the “Humanitarian Corridor,” is intensifying around the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. What lies behind this name—a noble humanitarian mission or the shadow of a deeper conspiracy?

At the center of this mystery are frequent meetings between Lieutenant General Kamrul Hasan, the Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Army, and National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman.

After a secret one-hour discussion on May 10, they met again on May 12 at 9:15 AM for another 30 minutes. Ostensibly, these meetings aim to establish a “humanitarian corridor” for the repatriation of 1.4 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.

However, sources reveal a hidden agenda: a covert plan to provide logistical and supply support to the Arakan Army. Are these meetings purely humanitarian, or part of a larger geopolitical game?

Adding another layer to the mystery is Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman’s sudden change of plans. Originally scheduled to attend the Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) Symposium in Honolulu on May 11, he abruptly altered his itinerary. Now, he is embarking on a month-long visit to the US, including an “extended leave.”

Is his absence from the country’s military leadership at this time merely coincidental, or is there a hidden motive?

The Armed Forces Division (AFD) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) have labeled the “humanitarian corridor” a “national security issue,” linking it to border security, regional stability, and national sovereignty.

They describe it as requiring a “decisive response.” Is their “active and extensive role” solely for resolving the refugee crisis, or does it conceal deeper strategic objectives?

Amid these developments, Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman—a US citizen—has intensified diplomatic maneuvers. Last evening, he entered the US Embassy in Dhaka’s Baridhara area and held a two-hour meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobs.

Simultaneously, Pakistan’s High Commissioner Ayeed Ahmed Maroof Shah departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A day earlier, he held secret talks in Cox’s Bazar with representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Is this parallel diplomacy coincidental, or part of a coordinated plan?

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Hasan’s sudden trip to Cox’s Bazar adds another dimension. He rushed there for a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin and returned to Dhaka the same evening. Was this a routine inspection or a covert briefing with local authorities?

Foreign Advisor Tawhid Hossain’s upcoming Berlin visit for the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference creates a parallel narrative. He will discuss the future of peacekeeping missions, accompanied by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, Maj. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Masihur, and two other officials.

While this highlights Bangladesh’s international commitments, the domestic “humanitarian corridor” issue has reached a sensitive juncture.

Is the corridor truly a noble initiative for Rohingya repatriation, or a facade for a complex geopolitical play? The Arakan Army’s supply links, Pakistani diplomats’ secret talks, Rahman’s lengthy discussion with US officials, and Gen. Zaman’s unexpected leave—all hint at an invisible web.

At its core: a power struggle, regional dominance, or a covert national security agenda? Only time and unfolding events may reveal the truth.