Apprehending unrest within the ranks following the arrest of 14 Bangladesh Army officers last week, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman has cancelled his five-day visit to Saudi Arabia, which was scheduled to begin on October 14.

Acting on Gen Zaman’s directives, the Bangladesh Army arrested 14 officers — including major generals, brigadiers, colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors — on October 11, following an order by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued on October 8.

One senior officer, Major General Kabir Ahmed, is suspected to have evaded arrest and gone into hiding, according to sources. The arrests have reportedly caused anger and division within the army establishment, particularly among senior officers.

At a meeting of 57 generals on October 9, visible tension was reported when at least four officers opposed any move to detain 24 personnel accused of involvement in enforced disappearances, secret detentions, and torture during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure.

Sources revealed that Gen Zaman had earlier cancelled a visit to New Delhi scheduled between October 12 and 14. Subsequently, on October 10, he decided to call off the Saudi Arabia trip as well.

“He is uncertain about the course of events following the arrests,” a senior source said. “He does not want to take any chances by leaving the country at this moment. The visit will be rescheduled to a later date.”

Peacekeeping discussions with Saudi Arabia postponed

The Saudi visit was intended to discuss a potential peacekeeping deployment of Bangladeshi soldiers in a region of the Islamic kingdom currently hosting around 7,000 US troops. These American forces are expected to withdraw in the coming months.

Bangladesh, recognized for its extensive participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, viewed the development as an opportunity to expand its contribution to global peacekeeping missions.

US troop presence in West Asia

According to reports, the United States operates a network of military installations across at least 19 locations in West Asia, including eight permanent bases in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Altogether, around 40,000 to 50,000 US troops are stationed across the region, with the majority based in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.

Army chief to stay in Dhaka and monitor situation

While General Zaman is not expected to meet the Indian Army delegation visiting Dhaka between October 14 and 16, sources confirmed that he will remain in the capital to closely monitor the situation until tensions within the officer corps subside.

His domestic engagements between October 22 and 30 — including activities related to the 66th Infantry Division and annual Commanding Officers’ conferences at Qadirabad and Chittagong — remain unchanged.

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