Bangladesh has agreed in principle to allow the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to Arakan through its territory, according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune.

Speaking on Sunday, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hassan confirmed that Bangladesh is prepared to cooperate with a United Nations proposal aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected region of Arakan, provided that certain conditions are met.

“It will be a humanitarian passage,” Hassan stated. “However, we have certain conditions. I will not go into details, but if the conditions are met, we will certainly provide assistance.”

Hassan noted that Myanmar’s internal conflict has had a direct impact on Bangladesh, as hundreds of Rohingya refugees have fled across the border in recent weeks. He stressed that Bangladesh remains committed to finding solutions that would facilitate the repatriation of Rohingya refugees who have been sheltering in the country for years.

“A large population from Myanmar has taken refuge in our country, and we want to repatriate them. We must do whatever is necessary to facilitate their return,” he said.

Commenting on the security situation at the border, Hassan explained that the area is now under the control of a non-state armed group, with Myanmar’s central government no longer exerting authority there.

“The entire border is now under the control of a non-state actor. There is no control by Myanmar’s central government. For our own interests, some form of communication is necessary though we cannot formally communicate with the non-state actor, it is not possible for us to stay entirely disconnected,” he said.

The details of Bangladesh’s conditions for allowing the humanitarian corridor have not yet been disclosed.