Arakan Army Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

Staff Reporter

Dec 19, 2024, 06:37 AM2 min read

Arakan Army Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

Arakan Army troops guard regime forces who surrendered during the fighting for Ann town, Rakhine State on Tuesday. / AA Info Desk

The Arakan Army (AA) has called on remaining junta soldiers defending the Western Military Command in Ann Township, Rakhine State, to surrender as it prepares a final offensive to seize the base.

On Tuesday (November 19), the AA released a video showing dozens of captured regime soldiers and their family members being escorted by its troops. The footage captured during the battle for the military stronghold, also revealed the Western Command headquarters engulfed in flames, with large portions of the structure severely damaged.

In a separate video released on Monday, the AA showcased additional captured regime troops, including wounded soldiers, being guarded by its fighters following their surrender in Ann. The group reiterated its offer of safety to those who lay down their arms, promising that surrendering troops would be allowed to return to their families. “No surrender with a white flag, no happy New Year,” the AA warned.

Although the AA has yet to officially announce the fall of the Western Command, observers believe it has been effectively defeated. Efforts to reach AA spokesman Khaing Thu Kha for comment have been unsuccessful.

Earlier this month, the AA reported capturing over 30 regime positions in Ann Township, including several battalion headquarters, leaving the Western Command as the last remaining junta stronghold in the area. Its fall would mark the second loss of a regional military hub for the junta, following the capture of the Northeastern Command in Lashio, Shan State, by the Brotherhood Alliance in August after a prolonged battle.

In December, the AA gained full control over two more Rakhine State townships, Taungup and Maungdaw, which border Bangladesh. Fighting continues in southern Rakhine, where the AA has launched an offensive to capture Gwa Township near Ayeyarwady Region.

The AA has been collaborating with its Brotherhood Alliance allies and resistance forces, including the People’s Defense Forces under the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), in a broad campaign against the junta. Since launching Operation 1027 in October 2023, the AA has taken control of most of northern Shan State and expanded its offensive to Rakhine, seizing 12 out of 17 townships in the state as well as Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State.

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