The US State Department has ordered its government employees to leave Bangladesh amid unrest in the country, the department said in a statement.
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This is not the first such call by the US State Department against the backdrop of the situation in Bangladesh. The department on July 21 recommended that all American citizens refrain from traveling to the country due to protests against the quota system for government jobs. The State Department also allowed some of its government employees to leave Bangladesh.
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“The State Department has ordered non-emergency US government workers and their family members to leave,” the statement said.
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In addition, the State Department recommended that all Americans not travel to Bangladesh, warning of the threat of crimes and terrorist attacks. The department added that the United States will be limited in providing urgent services to its citizens.
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Protests and demonstrations began in Dhaka and across the country following the announcement of a multi-day “non-cooperation action” with the authorities, which was launched on August 4 by the Students’ Movement Against Discrimination. Clashes between anti-government students, police and government supporters escalated into riots.
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On Monday, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister left their official residence in the capital Dhaka for a safer location amid unrest. News18 TV channel reported that Hasina resigned and flew to the Indian city of Agartala. The Hindu writes that the former prime minister is seeking asylum in the UK.
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On Monday evening, Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin met with the leadership of the country’s armed forces, representatives of political parties and social movements. As a result of this meeting, its participants stated that the creation of an interim government of the country after Hasina’s resignation would require the dissolution of parliament. On Tuesday, Shahabuddin dissolved it.
