US Urges Citizens to Leave Bangladesh After Protests

In a dramatic turn of events, Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, resigned on Monday and fled the country following a month of intense anti-government protests that have resulted in over 300 fatalities. The unrest peaked when thousands of demonstrators stormed Hasina’s official residence, prompting her to escape by helicopter to India just moments before the protesters breached the palace. The protests, which began as a response to a controversial job quota system, have seen police violence against civilians, with many protesters killed in clashes. The quota system, originally established to honor freedom fighters from the 1971 independence war, has been a contentious issue. Although student groups successfully abolished the quotas in 2018, the High Court reinstated them in June, igniting further outrage. Hasina's emotional ties to the quota system were criticized by opposition leaders, who accused her of exploiting historical tragedies for political gain. The protests escalated as police and ruling party members violently confronted demonstrators, leading to widespread chaos. In the aftermath of Hasina's departure, the Bangladeshi Army Chief announced that he would assume control and establish an interim government. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory urging Americans to avoid Bangladesh due to the ongoing civil unrest and violence. The advisory also noted that operations at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were temporarily halted, complicating travel for many. As the political landscape shifts, Bangladesh's president has dissolved parliament, paving the way for new elections to appoint a successor to Hasina. The future of the nation remains uncertain as it grapples with the fallout from these unprecedented events.