Arakan Army takes control of another town in Rakhine state

The Arakan Army has seized Rathedaung, a major town connecting the Rakhine capital of Sittwe with the state’s north, according to a statement released by the ethnic armed organisation on Sunday.

After fierce fighting of two weeks, around 200 Junta soldiers managed to flee on Sunday night, reports Irrawaddy, a news outlet of Myanmar journalists living in exile.

Despite heavy military offensives by the junta from the ground, water, and air, the Insurgent group said it captured three bases belonging to Infantry Battalions (IBs) 536, 537, and 538 at 4:00 pm in the town, located on the Mayu River upstream from Sittwe, according to Myanmar Now report. 

Fighting between the AA and the junta resumed last November, resulting in mass displacement. Residents have fled Rathedaung, warned by the group not to return until mines left by the junta have been located and deactivated.