The Arakan Army (AA) captured the regime’s Western Command headquarters in Ann town, Rakhine State, on Friday after over two months of attacks.
The junta’s Rakhine stronghold is the second of the 14 military commands to fall after the Brotherhood Alliance – of which the AA is a member – captured the Northeastern Command in the northern Shan State capital, Lashio, in early August. The fall of Ann exposes neighboring Magwe Region to potential attacks.
AA spokesman Khaing Thukha told The Irrawaddy that the deputy Rakhine commander, Brigadier General Thaung Tun, and chief of staff Brigadier General Kyaw Kyaw Than, had been detained.
Junta airstrikes continue and some regime troops escaped the base and are at large.
“Junta warplanes are bombing the area. Our troops are also chasing the fleeing regime troops,” said Khaing Thukha.
Many regime troops surrendered to the AA along with their families this week. An AA video shows large numbers of junta soldiers surrendering with white flags and a drone video shows the headquarters damaged and in flames.
Another AA video on Thursday showed regime troops being evacuated during junta airstrikes after their commanders had fled.
The AA began attacks in Rakhine State in November last year and has since seized 12 of the state’s 17 townships and Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State.
Fighting continues in Gwa town in southern Rakhine State.
source : irrawaddy