By Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State – December 12, 2024
The Arakan Army (AA) has achieved a significant victory by capturing Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State, securing full control over Myanmar’s 270-kilometer border with Bangladesh. This strategic gain follows six months of intense fighting against Myanmar’s military forces.
Capture of a Key Commander
On December 8, the AA confirmed the capture of Colonel Thurein Tun, Commander of Myanmar’s No. 15 Military Operations Command (MOC-15). Colonel Thurein Tun, along with officers and soldiers from Border Guard Force No. 5 (NaKhaKa-5), was apprehended after the collapse of the last remaining military base in Maungdaw.
“Thurein Tun was captured alive. The exact number of officers and soldiers with him is still being verified,” an AA leader stated. Reports also indicate that approximately 80 Rohingya fighters and other soldiers were captured during the conflict.
Colonel Thurein Tun, who previously served as Commander of the Central Regional Command, was reassigned to MOC-15 to lead operations in Maungdaw and Buthidaung. He was reportedly involved in training and arming some Rohingya youths and maintained close connections with Rohingya businessmen in the region.
Strategic Gains Along the Border
With the capture of Maungdaw, the AA now controls three key townships bordering Bangladesh—Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Paletwa in Chin State, which also shares a border with India. This territorial gain further solidifies the AA’s influence in the region and enhances its ability to control cross-border activities.
The AA launched its military campaign in Maungdaw in May 2024. This latest victory adds to its growing territorial control, which now spans 13 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin State.
Impact on Regional Stability
A military expert suggested that reopening trade routes between Bangladesh and Rakhine State could alleviate the suffering of local populations. Currently, Myanmar’s military blockades have restricted access to food, medicine, and fuel, putting an estimated two million people in Rakhine at risk of famine, according to the United Nations.
The expert also urged Bangladesh to engage in dialogue with the AA to address the ongoing Rohingya crisis and to explore potential solutions for regional stability.
Future Plans of the Arakan Army
The AA has announced its intent to expand its control to southern Rakhine areas, including Gwa, Taungup, and Ann. Additionally, the group has made significant territorial gains in northern Shan State, including Lashio, as part of its ongoing Operation 1027.
The AA’s success highlights the shifting power dynamics in Myanmar, with the group establishing itself as a dominant force in Rakhine and beyond. Its expanding influence underscores the urgent need for regional and international actors to address the humanitarian and political challenges in the region.
This victory not only strengthens the AA’s position but also opens up possibilities for reconfiguring the region’s geopolitical landscape, especially concerning trade and the resolution of the Rohingya crisis. Further developments in the AA’s campaigns and the responses of regional stakeholders remain to be seen.
