Myanmar deploys troops along Bangladesh border

COX'S BAZAAR, Bangladesh -- Myanmar continued deploying troops to its border with Bangladesh on Saturday after a flare-up over the construction of an embankment on the Naf river.

Shooting broke out last Monday near the construction site of the partly built dam 100 kilometers south of Cox's Bazaar.

By Friday, Myanmar had amassed about 35,000 troops along the border according to Bangladeshi officials.

Bangladesh has deployed about 10,000 paramilitary forces in response and both sides have restricted movements in the area.

Border skirmishes occur occasionally between the two countries because of Myanmar separatist rebels operating out of Bangladesh.

The Myanmar armed forces have also deployed military helicopters at Balibazar and Dhekubania bases in Monngdu.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad said on Thursday that the two sides had been in contact since the shooting incident in order to avoid further flare-ups.

---

Discuss the issues in our