Bangladesh, Myanmar exchange prisoners amidst Rakhine strife

Myanmar's nationals who crossed the border to seek shelter in Bangladesh are escorted back to their country by ships at Cox's Bazar on April 25, 2024. Bangladesh on April 25 sent home nearly 300 Myanmar soldiers and civil servants who fled to escape rebel attacks. FILE - Members of Myanmar Border Guard Police, in civilian clothing, sit under the shade of trees after abandoning their posts following fighting between Myanmar security forces and Arakan Army as Bangladesh border guards stand guard in Bangladesh, Feb. 5, 2024.

Bangladesh and Myanmar exchanged hundreds of their citizens from custody over two days this week, following a deal reached between the two countries. Bangladesh repatriated 288 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police and other security agencies on Thursday, after Myanmar on Wednesday released 173 Bangladeshi nationals, mostly fishermen.