Myanmar's Arakan Army claims control of border with Bangladesh
The Arakan Army, one of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic armed groups, has declared full control of the 271-kilometer border with Bangladesh, following the capture of the last military outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw.
The capture consolidates the Arakan Army's dominance in northern Rakhine, a region that has become a hotspot in Myanmar's ongoing civil war. This nationwide conflict pits pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups seeking autonomy against Myanmar's military rulers, who seized power in 2021 after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.
Khaing Thukha, spokesperson for the Arakan Army, confirmed via text message on Monday that the group seized the outpost on Sunday. He claimed that Brigadier General Thurein Tun, the outpost commander, was captured while attempting to escape.
Due to restricted internet and mobile access, the situation in Maungdaw remains unverified. Myanmar's military government has not commented on the developments.
Maungdaw, located about 400 kilometers southwest of Mandalay, has been a focal point of the Arakan Army's offensive since June. Earlier this year, the group captured the towns of Paletwa and Buthidaung, both situated along the Bangladesh border. By November 2023, the Arakan Army had gained control of 11 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State, as well as one in neighboring Chin State.
In a Telegram post, the group claimed to have overrun more than 30 military outposts, sparing only the military’s Western Command, which oversees southern Rakhine, parts of Chin State, and territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal.
The escalating conflict in Rakhine has sparked concerns about renewed violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The 2017 military crackdown in the region forced over 740,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. Although the Arakan Army denies targeting the Rohingya, allegations of human rights abuses persist.
Witness accounts accuse the group of forcing 200,000 residents, primarily Rohingyas, to flee during its capture of Buthidaung in May, followed by widespread arson. Similar allegations emerged in August, with reports of attacks on Rohingya civilians escaping clashes in Maungdaw.
As the Arakan Army consolidates its hold over Rakhine, fears of further displacement and violence loom, underscoring the complex and volatile dynamics in the region.
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