The Arakan Army, a significant ethnic rebel group in Burma, has reported the capture of hundreds of government soldiers after seizing Operational Command No. 15 headquarters in Buthidaung. The rebel forces, led by the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, have been making notable advances against the military-run government under Min Aung Hlaing in recent months.
The reported capture of the base in Buthidaung, located in the western state of Rakhine, marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Burma. The Arakan Army claimed that soldiers from the military government's headquarters surrendered after a siege, although independent confirmation of the event is pending.
The conflict in Rakhine is part of the broader nationwide turmoil that erupted after the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Despite the army's superior firepower and manpower, it has been facing increased resistance since October, when an alliance of ethnic rebel groups initiated an offensive in the country's northeast.
The Arakan Army's capture of the command post and other army outposts, as claimed in a video statement released on the Telegram messaging app, underscores the group's determination to seek autonomy from Burma's central government. The alliance of ethnic minority armies, including the Arakan Army, has made strategic gains in the northeast, posing a significant challenge to the military government's authority.
The video released by the Arakan Army shows captured soldiers, some injured, along with their families, including individuals who appear to be members of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The Rohingya, who have faced persecution by the military in the past, are now aligned with the Arakan Army in opposition to the government.
The Arakan Army's success in capturing soldiers and territory has not only dealt a blow to the military government but has also boosted the morale of ethnic minorities and pro-democracy groups in Burma. The ongoing conflict, involving various ethnic armed groups, continues to shape the political landscape of the country.
Another major ethnic armed group, the Kachin Independence Army, also claimed territorial gains in the northern state of Kachin, further complicating the military government's efforts to maintain control.
