Members of the armed opposition group Arakan Army
The armed opposition group Arakan Army (AA) in Myanmar said it had captured a major military command post in the west of the country, marking the collapse of the military junta’s second command post, according to AFP. reported on December 21.
Accordingly, AA said it took full control of the military command post in Ann town in Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh, on December 20 after 2 weeks of intense fighting.
If confirmed, this will be the second regional military command to fall into the hands of opposition armed forces in the past 5 months, and is a strong blow to the Myanmar army.
The Myanmar Army has 14 military command posts across the country, many of which currently run campaigns against opposition armed forces, including the People’s Defense Force established after the war. political upheaval in 2021.
Fighting has rocked Rakhine state since the AA attacked security forces last November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the coup.
AA members already control swathes of territory in the state, home to port projects funded by China and India, and have virtually cut off the state capital, Sittwe.
AA posted a photo of a man they say is the deputy commander of the Ann area in their custody. AA and the Myanmar military government have not commented.
