Myanmar ethnic armed group claims control of key region along Bangladesh border
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The last junta base near Maungdaw town had fallen early on Dec 9 after almost two months of fighting.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BANGKOK – A Myanmar ethnic armed group has claimed complete control of a key region along the Bangladesh border, piling further pressure on the junta
Fighting has rocked Myanmar’s western Rakhine state since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November 2023, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the junta’s 2021 coup.
AA fighters have seized swathes of territory in the state that is home to China and India-backed port projects and all but cut off state capital Sittwe.
A statement released by the AA late on Dec 10 said the group had “completely controlled the whole region of Maungdaw” – a district that is home to more than 110,000 people, according to the last census – since Dec 9.
The last junta base near Maungdaw town had fallen early on Dec 9 after almost two months of fighting, it said, adding it had arrested a number of junta soldiers including the base commander.
A video released by the group showed men appearing to be Myanmar security forces who have surrendered walking out of damaged buildings, holding white flags and white pieces of styrofoam.
AFP has not been able to independently confirm the information and has contacted an AA spokesperson for comment.
Maungdaw town lies on the Naf river which separates Myanmar from Bangladesh and is home to many members of the persecuted Rohingya minority.
The junta has not responded to requests for comment on the Maungdaw fighting.
In May, the AA said it had seized the town of Buthidaung, 25km from Maungdaw.
Several Rohingya diaspora groups later accused the AA of forcing Rohingya to flee, and then looting and burning their homes – claims the AA called “propaganda”.
In November, the UN warned Rakhine state was heading towards famine, as ongoing clashes squeeze commerce and agricultural production.
“Rakhine’s economy has stopped functioning,” the report from the UN Development Programme said, projecting “famine conditions by mid-2025” if current levels of food insecurity are left unaddressed. AFP
