Bangladesh protests violation of airspace by Myanmar helicopters

Bangladesh today lodged a "strong protest" with the Myanmar embassy in Dhaka as Myanmar helicopters violated Bangladesh's airspace near Ukhia in Cox's Bazar where Rohingyas fleeing violence in Rakhine state took shelter.

In a diplomatic note sent to the Embassy of Myanmar in Dhaka today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested the repeated instances of violation of Bangladesh's airspace by a number of Myanmar helicopters on August 27 and 28, and September 1.

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This morning, Myanmar helicopters violated Bangladesh's airspace near Ukhia on three occasions, said a press release of the foreign ministry.

The ministry stressed that these instances of incursion into Bangladesh air space by Myanmar helicopters run contrary to the good neighbourly relations and could lead to unwarranted situation.

The ministry further emphasized that while Bangladesh has been cooperating with Myanmar in the security sector, such instances violation of sovereignty may affect the existing understanding and cooperation between the two countries. Bangladesh demanded Myanmar to take immediate measures to prevent recurrence of such incursion in future.

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Around 38,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar, United Nations sources said, a week after Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army base in Rakhine state, prompting clashes and a military counteroffensive.