Armed anti-regime groups in Myanmar made significant gains in December, liberating six townships and capturing a junta regional command headquarters, according to research group Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica.
The ethnic Arkan Army (AA) seized four townships – Maungdaw, Ann, Gwa and Taungup – in its stronghold of Rakhine State, western Myanmar. The rebel army also defeated and occupied the Western Military Command, located in Ann town, capturing hundreds of regime troops including generals. The base became the second regional command to fall to resistance groups since the 2021 military coup, following the capture of Northeastern Command last August.
The AA has liberated 14 out of 17 Rakhine State’s townships, along with Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State, since launching its western Myanmar offensive in November 2023.
Fighting is currently being reported in Sittwe Township as AA troops advance on Rakhine’s capital city, Sittwe.
December’s gains have enabled the Rakhine ethnic army to expand its offensive into the neighboring regions of Magwe, Bago and Ayeyarwady, where it recently seized several junta bases despite regime efforts to reinforce the border.
Magwe and Bago are home to 23 of the regime’s 25 ordnance factories, which serve as the lifeblood of its military machine.
December also saw the Chin Brotherhood – an alliance of six ethnic Chin resistance groups and People’s Defense Forces from Magwe and Sagaing Regions – liberate Mindat and Kanpetlet townships in southern Chin State.
The AA supported the Chin Brotherhood with arms, ammunition, reinforcements and military advice during the battle for Mindat town.
Data compiled by Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica shows clashes raged across the whole country in December, except in Ayeyarwady Region and the junta’s administrative capital, Naypyitaw.
The research group reported that 1,437 regime troops, 42 resistance members, and 34 civilians were killed during armed conflict in December. It said that another 173 civilians were killed in targeted attacks – mostly junta artillery and air strikes.
The junta also arrested 1,995 civilians during the month, it added.
