Bangladesh–Syria relations

Bangladesh–Syria relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Syria.[1] Syria is accredited to Bangladesh from its embassy in New Delhi. Bangladesh has an consulate-general in Damascus.[2]

Bangladesh-Syria relations
Map indicating locations of Bangladesh and Syria

Bangladesh

Syria

History edit

Syria opposed Indian interference in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, describing it as an internal matter of Pakistan.[3] Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1973.[4] Bangladesh exported jute products worth over 1 billion taka to Syrian per year between 2012 and 2013.[5]

Syrian war edit

Bangladesh's foreign ministry condemned the use of chemical weapons "by any party under any circumstances" after a chemical attack in Syria on 2013.[6] It has called for the conflict to be ended through "diplomatic and peaceful means".[7]

A few Bangladeshis have also joined the Islamic State militant group in Syria.[8][9] A number of British-Bangladeshi including entire families have joined the Islamic State as well.[10][11] Tamim Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-Canadian who fought in Syria would become the head of the Islamic State unit in Bangladesh.[12] In 2015 and 2016, Bangladeshi women were trafficked to Syria where they were forced to work as sex workers and as slave labor.[13][14] The women were promised jobs as maids in Lebanon.[15] In 2016 the government of Bangladesh issued an advisory against travelling to Syria.[16]

On the resolution of the conflict in Syria, a Bangladeshi government official said that "In the current context, a neutral position does not always satisfy all parties." Another government official added: "We support peace. We want a peaceful solution to the situation, thanks to which Syria will retain its sovereignty."[17]

On 10 February 2023, the Government of Bangladesh has sent relief to the victims of the recent earthquake in Syria.[18]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Dhaka to take position on IS and Syria cautiously". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Mikdad receives credentials of Subhani as a non-resident Ambassador of Bangladesh". SANA. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  3. ^ Ward, Richard Edmund (1992). India's Pro-Arab Policy: A Study in Continuity. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 80–81. ISBN 978-0-275-94086-7.
  4. ^ ARR: Arab Report and Record. Economic Features, Limited. 1973. p. 11.
  5. ^ "Bangladesh To Export Jute Goods To Syria". Bangladesh Awami League. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  6. ^ Bhaumik, Subir. "South Asian nations oppose US strike in Syria". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Dhaka for quick resolution of Syria crisis". The Daily Star. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Air strikes kill 'Bangladeshi militant' in Syria". The Daily Star. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  9. ^ "IS tricked Bangladesh origin UK family into Syria: Son". The Daily Star. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Bangladeshi family of 12 'may have gone to Syria'". The Daily Star. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Why do British-Bangladeshi women join IS in Syria?". The Daily Star. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Searching for the shadowy Canadian leader of ISIS in Bangladesh". The Daily Star (Opinion). 9 August 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Women trafficked to Syria". The Daily Star. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  14. ^ "She breaks into tears while narrating torture on her in Syria". The Daily Star. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Bangladeshi women trafficked to war-torn Syria as sex slaves, maids". Reuters. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Govt strongly advises against Syria tour". The Daily Star. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  17. ^ "Bangladesh observing Russia - US stance on Syria issue". Dhaka Tribune. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  18. ^ "Bangladeshi relief team leaves for quake-hit Syria".