Narinjara News, December 16, 2024

Following the military coup, the Arakan Army (AA) emerged as the first armed resistance group to seize five district-level towns in Arakan State.

The AA has taken control of towns such as Maungdaw, Mrauk-U, Thandwe, Taungup, and Paletwa.

Arakan State is made up of seven districts: Sittwe (Akyab), Mrauk-U, Maungdaw, Ann, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, and Thandwe. The AA has completely taken control of four of these districts—Mrauk-U, Maungdaw, Thandwe, and Taungup—along with the Paletwa district located in Chin State.

At present, the AA is launching a fierce assault on the Western Command, aiming to seize Ann, a town at the district level. Ground reports indicate that the complete Western Command has already been taken.

Ann mentioned in a military source, “There is nothing further to add. All is well in Ann. Simply wait for the official announcement from the Arakan Army (AA).”

In Arakan State, the AA has only two district-level towns to focus on—Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. Due to the potential for assaults on these towns, the junta is bolstering its presence and undertaking significant defensive measures.

In total, the AA has taken over 13 townships throughout Arakan State: Paletwa, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Ramree, Taungup, and Thandwe.