copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-02-29): The Naf River (Bengali: নাফ নদী Naf Nodi IPA: [naf nod̪i]; Burmese: နတ်မြစ် [naʔ mjɪʔ]; Rakhine: နတ်မြစ် [nɛ́ mràɪʔ]) is an international river marking the border of southeastern Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar.[1] [...] - 24 March 1994 — Members of the Myanmar Army's Western Military Command patrolling the Naf River found a group of Rohingya Muslims fishing in a small country boat. The soldiers tried to extort money from the fishermen, but when they were unable to do so, tied them up with rope and brought them to Balu Khali village in Maungdaw Township.[3] Eight of the Rohingya fishermen were interrogated and tortured for five days, and then they were all shot by firing squad.[3] [...] - August 2017 — The Border Guard Bangladesh station chief of the Ghumdum border post in Bangladesh accused Myanmar's military of firing on fleeing Rohingyas crossing the Naf River. An AFP reporter counted more than a dozen mortar shells and several heavy machine gun rounds fired by Burmese security forces on the fleeing Rohingyas.[11]
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-06-22): On June 11, an unidentified armed group from Myanmar fired upon an island-bound speed boat along the Naf River. Moreover, warships belonging to Myanmar are now visible from Saint Martin’s. [...] "The conflict between the junta and AA is currently centered around Maungdaw, a town in Rakhine State, and is extending into the waterways, particularly the Naf River," said Altaf Parvez, a researcher and writer on Southeast Asian history and politics. "Additionally, navigability of the Naf River has been reduced in parts of Bangladesh, forcing many boats and seasonal tourist ships to travel near the Myanmar border, increasing risks," he added. "The Bangladesh government must maintain good relations with both the AA and Myanmar government, as it seems the AA may soon take control of Rakhine State."
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-06-21): The Naf War was a 3-day border clash that occurred in January 2000. During the clash, the Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) and the Myanmar Army engaged in heavy fighting near the Naf River, before ending hostilities via a diplomatic truce. In 1966, an agreement was reached between the governments of Pakistan and Burma during the border settlement. According to the decision of this treaty, the middle part of the present-day Naf River sector is specified as the border of the two countries.The Naf River has twelve tributaries in Myanmar. As per the treaty, the middle part of the Naf River sector was recognized as the international boundary, Myanmar could not take any action in those sectors that would cause major changes in the course of the Naf River. But Myanmar ignored the agreement and built dams on eleven out of twelve rivers by 2000. As a result, the main flow of the Naf River shifted towards Bangladesh and about 2,500 acres of land was lost from the territory of Bangladesh. [1] In 2000, when Myanmar attempted to build a dam at the last branch, there were several rounds of meetings between the border guards of both countries. When this dam was built, it was feared that the Bangladesh part of the Naf River would break, so that the Teknaf town could disappear, so when the Bangladesh Rifles requested not to build the dam in accordance with the 1966 agreement, the Myanmar border guards sent a letter in rude and unprofessional language.[1]
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-06-17): The only remaining exit route is across the Naf River into Bangladesh, which nearly three-quarters of a million Rohingya were forced to traverse following the military’s "clearance operation" in 2017. However, it is equally hard to see the Bangladesh government allowing, let alone welcoming, another influx of civilians from Rakhine State, given its growing discontent about the 1 million refugees that are already there.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-01-21): Geography [edit]The Myanmar coastal rain forests occupies the coastal lowlands of Myanmar. It extends from the Naf River, which forms the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar, along the Rakhine coast. It also occupies the lower basins of the Irrawaddy and Sittaung rivers, and the coastal lowlands of Mon State and Tanintharyi Region along the Andaman Sea. In Rakhine it is bounded on the east by the Mizoram–Manipur–Kachin rain forests, which occupy the lower slopes of the Arakan Mountains. In the Irrawaddy and Sittaung basins, the Irrawaddy moist deciduous forests lie inland to the north, while the Irrawaddy freshwater swamp forests occupy the wide Irrawaddy Delta to the south. Further east, the Kayah–Karen montane rain forests and Tenasserim–South Thailand semi-evergreen rain forests cover the eastern mountains, and another enclave of the Irrawaddy moist deciduous forests lies in the lower Salween basin. The Myanmar Coast mangroves fringe the coast and river estuaries.[3]
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-09): Five Bangladeshi fishermen were allegedly abducted by Myanmar's rebel group, the Arakan Army, from the Naf River near Shahparir Dwip in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, on Monday afternoon, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). [...] Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commanding officer of BGB-2 Teknaf Battalion, said the fishermen were likely abducted by the Arakan Army while they were fishing in the Naf river. "We are trying to bring them back," he added. [...] According to locals, three boats, including one owned by Abdul Majid from Shahparir Dwip, went fishing in the river when the Arakan Army members, armed with weapons, chased them.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-06-17): Naf River is a transboundary river marking the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is an elongated estuary in the extreme southeast of cox's bazar district dividing the district from Arakan (Myanmar). It rises in the Arakan hills on the southeastern borders of the district and falls into the bay of bengal. Its width varies from 1.61 km to 3.22 km. The Naf River's average depth is 128 feet (39 m) and maximum depth is 400 feet (120 m). Akyab in Myanmar is on the left bank and Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar district is on the right bank of the river.The river is influenced by tidal activity. Shrimp cultivation is extensively practiced on the floodplains of the river. [Sifatul Quader Chowdhury]
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-09-06): Naf River is a river that starts in Myanmar and flows into the Bay of Bengal. The lower part of the river marks the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar. It starts in the Arakan hills. Its width varies from 1.61 km to 3.22 km. The Naf River's average depth is 128 feet (39 m) and maximum depth is 400 feet (120 m).
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-12): On 6 October 2018, the government of Myanmar updated its 2015–2018 map of Myanmar Information Management Unit showing St. Martin's Island as a part of their sovereign territory and spread the maps in two global websites. Following the event, the Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka was summoned by the Government of Bangladesh on 6 October 2018. Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khurshed Alam, maritime affairs secretary at the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over a strongly worded protest note to him. The Myanmar envoy said it was a "mistake" to show the St. Martin's Island as part of his country's territory.[15] [...] In early February 2024, over 300 Myanmar Border Guard Police personnel illegally crossed the Bangladesh–Myanmar border, leading to a tense situation where they were disarmed and interned by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). This incident is part of a continuing pattern of violations by Myanmar, including unauthorized military incursions and attacks on Bangladeshi territory, which contravene international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Bangladesh has maintained its neutrality and adherence to international law amidst Myanmar's ongoing civil conflict, highlighting the challenges in bilateral relations and the broader regional stability concerns.[24] On 24 February 2024, Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion Director General M Khurshid Hossain claimed that Myanmar wanted to engage in a war with his country.[25]
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-06): The Naf River is a significant waterway in South Asia, known for its role as a natural border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Flowing from the Arakan Hills in Myanmar to the Bay of Bengal, this river has played a crucial role in shaping the history, geography, and culture of the region. In this guide, we will delve into the Naf River’s geography, historical significance, economic importance, and its role in tourism. Whether you’re a traveler, a student, or just curious about this important river, you’ll find all the information you need here. [...] The Naf River runs along the southeastern border of Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar. It serves as a natural boundary between the two countries, particularly between the Cox’s Bazar District in Bangladesh and the Rakhine State in Myanmar. The river is approximately 56 kilometers (35 miles) long and flows into the Bay of Bengal. Its location makes it a key geographical feature in South Asia. [...] - Border Conflicts: The Naf River has been a site of military clashes and territorial disputes between Bangladesh and Myanmar. These conflicts not only threaten the security of the region but also impact the river’s ecological health.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Background [edit]In 1966, an agreement was reached between the governments of Pakistan and Burma during the border settlement. According to the agreement, the middle part of the Naf River sector was specified as the border between the two countries. The Naf River has twelve tributaries in Myanmar. As per the agreement, the middle part of the Naf River sector was recognized as the international boundary, so Myanmar could not take any action, which could cause major disruption in the course of the Naf River. But Myanmar ignored the agreement and built dams on eleven out of twelve rivers by 2000. Due to this, the main flow of Naf River was diverted towards Bangladesh and about 2500 acres of land was lost from the territory of Bangladesh.[citation needed] [...] Ceasefire [edit]By January 10, the war had ended due to a unilateral withdrawal from the war. A high-level delegation was sent to Maungdaw, accepting Burma's offer of unconditional talks. The delegation led by the then Joint Secretary (Political) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Zanib ul Haq presented Bangladesh's proposals. A handwritten pledge was signed at the meeting, in which the Myanmar government promised to refrain from any future attempt to build any form of dam on the Naf River.[citation needed][3][4]
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2016-08-09): The effects of the June 2012 communal violence had barely faded away, when the ethnic Rohingya minority people in northern Rakhine (previously Arakan) State found themselves face-to-face with new existential challenges that included food shortages, malnourishment, and health crises. Amid these challenges, the Myanmar Government quickly swooped in and expelled international aid agencies, whose role was to provide aid to the displaced Rohingya. The Rohingya continue to flee their country in droves, fearing continued persecution and threats to their lives. There are about two million Rohingya in Myanmar, approximately 800,000 of whom live in northern Rakhine State. An estimated 328,500 now live in Bangladesh, as documented and undocumented refugees. About half a million have migrated to other parts of the world. Substantial numbers remain, on either side of the Naf River, where they lead displaced lives and face an uncertain future.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-02-13): River Naf is an international river which is shared between Bangladesh and Myanmar. According to my knowledge the Naf river is the only one that is shared between Myanmar and Bangladesh. The eastern coast of the river is Arakan state of Myanmar (which was formerly known as Burma), and the western coast is Teknaf of Bangladesh. River Naf originated from the Arakan hills of Myanmar and after flowing as a transboundary river falls into the Bay of Bengal. The river is having 1-3 kilometer width between the two countries at some places and the depth of the river is 128ft an average depth and highest depth is 400ft. Being near to the ocean the water of the river is salty. Also the water level rises based on the high and low tide of the sea. Keeping similarity with the Bay of Bengal the river has almost the same color of the ocean. [...] During the Naf river cruise you could see the boatmen catching fish from the river. Fishermen from both countries catch fish in this river with the only one condition of not crossing the border. Both the Myanmar and Bangladesh naval troops keep a close look on that matter.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-24): On 5 August 2024, artillery shelling and drone attacks reportedly killed about 180 people, including a significant number of women and children, near the bank of the Naf River, which marks the border between southeastern Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar, as they attempted to escape hostilities. On the same day, an estimated 20,000 people were reportedly displaced from three downtown Maungdaw wards. In separate incidents on 6 and 19 August, boats carrying dozens of people - including women and children – sank in the Naf River, with children among the casualties, the latest in a series of capsizing incidents involving children.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2017-12-19): The advancing soldiers trapped several hundred unarmed Rohingya Muslim villagers, including Hassina, on the large bank of the river, which surrounds Tula Toli on three sides. As they approached, some fired at the crowd, others toward people trying to flee. While some Rohingya managed to escape, swimming across the fast-moving river or dashing to the surrounding hills, many terrified villagers could not run away or swim. Families with young children had no chance to flee.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2017-08-28): Thousands of ethnic Rohingya are attempting to flee violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, braving hostile border guards, treacherous territory and high waters to cross into neighboring Bangladesh. [...] Crossing the Naf river to safety [...] She said her husband and brothers had taken a group of 26 people, including children, to the Naf river which separates Bangladesh and Myanmar. The men stayed in Rakhine, while the others crossed the river to safety.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-08-08): Across the Naf river that divides Bangladesh and Myanmar, Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers are forced into hiding and are suffering a severe lack of food and medical care, Amnesty International found in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district. [...] On 22 November, Amnesty International witnessed groups of Rohingya crossing the border close to Whaikyang, a village by the Naf river in Bangladesh. They looked weary and emaciated, the signs of a gruelling journey evident on their faces. [...] Several thousand Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers are believed to have recently crossed into Bangladesh. They are spread out across villages, refugee camps and slums, making the true number impossible to determine. At least 2,000 people have made the journey across the Naf river since 21 November, with more set to arrive over successive days.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2017-08-27): At least 20 Rohingya were caught on Sunday and sent back after crossing the Naf river, a natural border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, Ariful Islam, a commander with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), told AFP news agency.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-06-26): As the Civil war in Myanmar intensifies, the Arakan Army (AA) has emerged as a formidable force against Myanmar military in Rakhine State. Recent escalation in hostilities between the rebel group and the military in Rakhine has not only disrupted Junta’s hold in the region but also poses serious security threats to Bangladesh. Stray Mortar shelling in Bangladesh’s bordering regions included, last month, AA rebels even kidnapped innocent fishermen from the Naf river that Bangladesh shares with Myanmar. AA’s activities are becoming a growing concern for Bangladesh especially considering that Bangladesh has consistently responded with patience and dignity to the numerous provocations and challenges posed by Myanmar. [...] Beyond the immediate border incidents, the presence of the AA near Bangladesh raises broader security concerns. The AA’s control over large swathes of territory in Rakhine State, including strategic border areas, increases the risk of arms smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit activities. Bangladesh geography puts it at the heart of three major Asian drug trade routes: the Golden Wedge, the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent. This, unfortunately, makes the country a lucrative transit for the region’s drugs, especially from Myanmar and India, undermining Bangladesh’s internal security. Moreover, the AA’s conflict with the Myanmar military has the potential to draw in other armed groups and create a broader insurgency landscape. This could lead to a spillover of violence into Bangladesh, exacerbating the security challenges. The presence of armed militants in close proximity to Bangladeshi territory necessitates a robust security response to prevent infiltration and maintain regional stability.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-02-08): Aware of the rising threat, Bangladesh placed security forces on high alert along its 270-mile frontier with Myanmar's restive Rakhine state, with particular focus on the Naf River that serves as a natural boundary. [...] Amid those challenges, Bangladesh is left to manage a delicate balancing act while hoping for a resolution to the Rohingya crisis and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on its border with Myanmar.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-07): A statement issued on Wednesday by the Women’s Peace Network (WPN)—an advocacy organisation led by prominent Rohingya human rights activist Wai Wai Nu—claimed at least 200 Rohingya civilians, most of them women and children, had been killed in drone strikes by the Arakan Army (AA), on the Naf River the day before. The drone attacks occurred as Rohingya civilians fled to the river from other areas of Maungdaw Township, an area of northern Rakhine State where the AA has been fighting for territorial control in recent months. The Naf River forms part of Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-05-09): Rohingya village leaders across Maungdaw and Buthitaung say their communities are desperate for aid. They feel abandoned by aid workers who have not stayed in touch with them during the blockade. While many villagers can still receive cash transfers through informal networks and buy food in markets, village leaders urge humanitarian and political actors to fight harder for workarounds like sending money and opening a waterway corridor for the transfer of aid across the Naf River from Bangladesh. Meanwhile, prices have skyrocketed, farmers are unable to access their agricultural lands and travel is risky. In many places, those who venture out of their homes to buy food in nearby markets must navigate heavily militarized and mined areas. Local traders have been able to transport some food from Bangladesh across the Naf, but moving it from the riverbank to inland communities presents further risks.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-21): Last month, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, warned that the situation "carries echoes of the lead-up to genocidal violence in 2016 and 2017," while highlighting how the junta has deliberately stoked tensions between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities in Rakhine State. The Rohingya have also been disproportionately targeted in the junta’s forced conscription campaign. Reports have also emerged of atrocities committed by the AA against Rohingya civilians, including mass arrests, forced displacement, looting and the blocking of humanitarian aid. According to the Women’s Peace Network, at least 200 Rohingya – mostly women and children – were killed in drone attacks launched by the AA near the Naf River during the first week of August. Around 20,000 Rohingya were forcibly displaced from downtown Maungdaw prior to this and attempting to escape other attacks by the AA in the area.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-28): According to the report, which was based on interviews with 23 Rohingya eyewitnesses and "open-source video and photographic evidence" of the massacre, a crowd estimated in the thousands of Rohingya civilians gathered on the banks of the Naf River on the morning of August 5. The group had fled an AA offensive on Maungdaw and were seemingly "waiting for boats to cross over into Bangladesh." [...] Fortify Rights also offers a likely explanation for why the AA might have chosen to target the crowd gathered on the banks of the Naf River. It cites Rohingya eyewitnesses as stating that they saw armed fighters from the Rohingya Salvation Organization (RSO), a Rohingya militant group allied with the military junta, among the crowd. These fighters were also reportedly seeking to escape to Bangladesh at the time of the attack.
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-27): PHOTO: Rohingya refugees cross the Naf River, which divides Bangladesh from Myanmar, near Teknaf, Bangladesh, Nov. 29, 2017. (Adam Dean/The New York Times)
Claim: Naf River is a territory of Myanmar (Naf River, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-08-23): We, the undersigned Rohingya organisations, have been working to establish the facts of the ‘Naf River Massacre’ that occurred in Maungdaw, Rakhine state, on 5th August 2024. Based on interviews and documentation of first-hand accounts by survivors and eyewitnesses, so far we have established the following. On 5th August 2024, an estimated number of at least 200 Rohingya civilians were killed in drone and artillery attacks in Maungdaw township, Rakhine State, while seeking shelter on the banks of the Naf River, which borders Bangladesh. Most of the victims of the attacks – "the Naf River Massacre" – were women and children. They had been forced to flee to the Naf River from Maungdaw town, where the Arakan Army (AA) had advanced, the Burmese military had sent reinforcements, and both parties engaged in intensifying attacks. With nowhere to go, the civilians had no choice but to cross the river to Bangladesh. Numerous eyewitnesses told us that the drones and artillery had been launched from the areas under the control of the AA. The Naf River Massacre follows a pattern of similar drone strikes by the AA on urban wards of Maungdaw town and its surrounding Rohingya villages in recent weeks, killing dozens of Rohingya civilians daily. It also follows ground reports indicating that Rohingya civilians are being strategically targeted by the AA and the Myanmar military with atrocities, in addition to being indiscriminately caught in the crossfire of their armed conflict.