Myanmar Ethnic Armed Group Captures Military Command in Rakhine State
A Myanmar ethnic armed group announced on Monday that it had successfully captured a military command and taken hundreds of junta personnel as prisoners in western Rakhine state. This development marks another setback for the military in the Southeast Asian country.
Background
Clashes have been ongoing in Rakhine since the Arakan Army (AA) launched an attack on security forces last November, effectively ending a cease-fire that had been in place since the military coup on February 1, 2021. While the military still controls the state capital of Sittwe, AA fighters have managed to seize territory in surrounding districts, including bases along the border with India and Bangladesh.
Capture of Military Operations Command 15
A video released by the AA’s media channel revealed that the group had captured “Military Operations Command (MOC) 15” near the town of Buthidaung, approximately 90 kilometers north of Sittwe. The video did not specify the exact timing of the capture, but local media have reported ongoing clashes in the area in recent days.
The video footage depicted the aftermath of the capture, showing junta personnel, some in military uniforms, walking through a field in a single file. Some individuals were dressed in civilian clothing, with women and children also present among the group. The video further displayed around 200 individuals seated in rows in a clearing, under the watch of armed men in uniform.
Conflict History
The AA is just one of several armed ethnic minority groups in Myanmar’s border regions that have been engaged in conflicts with the military since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1948. These groups have been fighting for autonomy and control over valuable resources.
The AA specifically advocates for greater autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population in the state. Previous clashes between the AA and the military in 2019 led to the displacement of approximately 200,000 individuals in the region.
Humanitarian Impact
Since the outbreak of violence in November, the conflict has spread to 15 out of Rakhine state’s 17 townships, resulting in significant casualties and displacements. According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, hundreds of individuals have been killed or wounded, and over 300,000 people have been displaced as a consequence of the ongoing hostilities.