ECNETNews Reports: Arakan Army Claims Victory, Captures Key Military Command Center in Rakhine State
PUBLISHED: 21 Dec 2024 at 14:45
The Arakan Army, a rebel group in Myanmar, has announced the successful capture of a significant military headquarters in Rakhine state. This development marks the fall of the junta’s second regional command as it faces increasing challenges from a nationwide armed resistance movement.
The military command in Rakhine, adjacent to Bangladesh, fell after two weeks of fierce combat, as reported late Friday night by the Arakan Army.
Attempts to reach a spokesperson for Myanmar’s military government for comment remained unsuccessful as of Saturday.
Since early 2021, Myanmar has experienced significant unrest following the military’s ousting of an elected civilian government, which sparked widespread protests and an armed rebellion against the ruling junta.
The Arakan Army is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of anti-junta groups, which has conducted an offensive since October 2023, achieving notable victories along Myanmar’s border with China.
In August, this alliance captured the northeastern town of Lashio, marking a historic first in the seizing of a regional military command in Myanmar.
Rakhine state, located along the Bay of Bengal, is one of Myanmar’s least developed regions despite its offshore natural gas reserves and plans for an economic zone in Kyauk Pyu, where pipelines transport oil and gas to China.
Combat in Rakhine resumed last November, following the collapse of a ceasefire between the Arakan Army and the junta, resulting in a series of victories for the rebel forces.
Activists and human rights groups have raised concerns that the Arakan Army has targeted the Rohingya community amid its offensives in northern Rakhine, prompting tens of thousands to flee to Bangladesh. The Arakan Army has denied these allegations.
Recent discussions sponsored by Thailand aimed at addressing the Myanmar crisis concluded on Friday in Bangkok. The sessions included representatives from the Myanmar junta, its neighboring countries—China, Bangladesh, and India—and ASEAN members, albeit without Myanmar’s participation.
The junta still intends to hold elections next year, despite widespread criticism, as nearly all anti-regime political parties have been barred from participating.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa emphasized that ASEAN members wish to ensure that “all stakeholders” are included in any forthcoming elections.
