Bangladesh to Withdraw Army Troops From Streets in June

Bangladesh will begin withdrawing army troops from public deployment next month, following a key decision made at a high‑level meeting chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The move marks a significant shift in the country’s internal security posture after nearly two years of military presence in civilian areas.

The decision emerged from Tuesday’s meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order, though details reached the media a day later. According to officials, the withdrawal will start on 6 June and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. It was the committee’s first meeting since the BNP government took office in February and the first since the body was reconstituted on 21 April.

Senior security officials including the inspector general of police, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, and the Border Guard Bangladesh chief attended the 2.5‑hour session. The plan is to withdraw troops in phases, beginning with remote districts before moving to major districts and divisional cities.

Army personnel were originally deployed on 19 July 2024 by the previous Awami League government to contain a rapidly expanding protest movement. Despite the deployment, the administration collapsed on 5 August after the military refused to fire on demonstrators.

Later that year, on 17 October, the interim government granted magistracy powers to the Army, Navy and Air Force as the police force struggled to function in the aftermath of the regime’s fall. Those powers expired after the national elections on 12 February this year.

Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser on information and broadcasting to the prime minister, said the Army has since been operating only as a striking force, supporting internal security agencies when requested. The June withdrawal will mark the end of its routine presence in civilian areas.