The question
It is said by one news source that Bangladesh Military Academy to train Saudi Arabi Military forces. is it factual? how many news sources have reported on this and what they are telling?
Coverage gathered from the open web
Summary
Instead, one source reports on Bangladesh's involvement in a 14-nation Saudi-led maritime defence coalition (en.prothomalo.com) (opens in new tab). This coalition aims to secure shipping and protect energy trade through the Red Sea from threats such as the Houthi movement, which has been accused of conducting a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia (en.prothomalo.com) (opens in new tab). While Mir Mushfiqur Rahman of the Armed Forces Division is noted in this context, security analysts have cautioned that joining the coalition marks a significant shift away from Bangladesh's historical policy of avoiding military alliances (en.prothomalo.com) (opens in new tab). Bangladesh is also a member of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (en.prothomalo.com) (opens in new tab).
Additionally, another source reports on Bangladesh's regional defense relations, noting that the country participated in a Defense Cooperation Agreement and is preparing to sign an umbrella defense pact with India (voanews.com) (opens in new tab). This potential agreement has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, who has been accused of coercing the Bangladesh government (voanews.com) (opens in new tab). Critics argue that the pact with India lacks transparency and could jeopardize Bangladesh's existing military interests and its relationship with China, while Sheikh Hasina is noted as a member of the Awami League (voanews.com) (opens in new tab).
Sources
- [1] https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/xd4jkfa0r1 (opens in new tab) (en.prothomalo.com)
- [2] https://www.voanews.com/a/many-bangladesh-oppose-proposed-defense-pact-india/3800157.html (opens in new tab) (voanews.com)
- [3] https://indianexpress.com/article/world/bangladesh-armed-forces-chiefs-rare-joint-visit-to-ailing-ex-pm-zia-10399503/ (opens in new tab) (indianexpress.com)
- [4] https://www.courthousenews.com/bangladesh-prime-minister-flees-country-military-takes-over/ (opens in new tab) (courthousenews.com)
- [5] https://thefederal.com/category/opinion/bangladesh-pakistan-military-ties-india-security-concerns-217559 (opens in new tab) (thefederal.com)
- [6] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/bangladesh-bnp-govt-transfers-pro-pak-pro-jamaat-army-officers/articleshow/128869038.cms (opens in new tab) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- [7] https://www.connectedtoindia.com/bangladesh-arrests-former-army-member-over-suspected-neo-jmb-links/ (opens in new tab) (connectedtoindia.com)
- [8] https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2018/11/13/humanitarian-deconfliction-syria-yemen (opens in new tab) (thenewhumanitarian.org)
Sources for the coverage
- Bangladesh joins Saudi-led maritime defence coalition: Why the initiative, what are its goals? - Prothom Alo English (opens in new tab) — en.prothomalo.com
- Many in Bangladesh Oppose Proposed Defense Pact With India - VOA - Voice of America English News (opens in new tab) — voanews.com
- Bangladesh’s armed forces chiefs make rare joint visit to ailing ex-PM Khaleda Zia - The Indian Express (opens in new tab) — indianexpress.com
- Bangladesh prime minister flees country, military takes over - courthousenews.com (opens in new tab) — courthousenews.com
- Bangladesh–Pak military outreach sparks alarm in New Delhi - The Federal (opens in new tab) — thefederal.com
- Bangladesh: BNP govt transfers 'pro-Pak & pro-Jamaat' army officers - The Times of India (opens in new tab) — timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Bangladesh arrests former Army member over suspected Neo-JMB links - connectedtoindia.com (opens in new tab) — connectedtoindia.com
- What is humanitarian deconfliction? - thenewhumanitarian.org (opens in new tab) — thenewhumanitarian.org