The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group in Rakhine state (western Myanmar), claimed to hold the town of Paletwa bordering India and Bangladesh, Reuters reported on January 15.
Accordingly, AA announced that since last weekend, Paletwa has been in the hands of this force. This is also an area that plays an important role in trade between Myanmar and neighboring countries.
"On border stability issues, we will cooperate best with neighboring countries," AA spokesperson Khine Thu Kha said.
Myanmar military is stationed in Yangon, the country's largest city.
According to AFP, AA also said it had captured six military bases along the border with India's Mizoram state. The Myanmar military has yet to comment on AA's claims.
The development is the latest setback for Myanmar’s ruling military government, which has seen a growing insurgency across the country. It is also the biggest challenge the military has faced since it overthrew an elected government in 2021.
News of the fall of Paletwa comes after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) rebel group announced the capture of Laukkai town (northern Shan state, bordering China).
The MNDAA, AA and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) are members of the Three Brothers Alliance operating in Myanmar.
Last week, Myanmar’s military government agreed to a ceasefire with the MNDAA. The talks were held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, and were facilitated by Beijing officials.
However, the Three Brothers Alliance accused the Myanmar government of violating the ceasefire agreement, carrying out attacks in several towns in Shan state.
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