RAKHINE STATE – Although the Arakan Army (AA) attacked and captured the junta council’s Western Command, based in Ann Township, the junta army has switched the base of operation for the mechanisms and processes of Western Command to Sittwe Town, according to news sources in Nay Pyi Taw.
On 24 December 2024, the Arakan Army combated and captured the junta council’s Ann-based Western Command, but the military junta has currently set up an office and functions in Sittwe Town as the Western Command and began operations again. The command commander Kyaw Swar Oo is also stationed at Sittwe and is reportedly leading the functions of the Western Command. The necessary military positions for the office of Western Command have also been reassigned and some colonels have been sent from Nay Pyi Taw.
“The Western Command was re-established in Sittwe. It was like the junta re-established North Eastern Command in Mongyai Town, after the junta had relinquished its Lashio-based North Eastern Command. Both command commander and the colonels sent from Nay Pyi Taw are serving and commanding from there. The necessary military positions have also been re-assigned it is back in operation,” the military source in Nay Pyi Taw said.
When the AA captured the Western Command, the deputy command commander, Brigadier General Thaung Htun, and the regional commander-in-chief, Brigadier General Kyaw Kyaw Than, were captured, and some colonels from Nay Pyi Taw have been assigned to replace the captured brigadiers. In addition, the division commanders of the lost Military Operations Commands in Rakhine State have also been replaced and made to operate in Sittwe.
The relocation and reorganization of the Western Command and Military Operations Commands is said to be frameworks to resume operations after the junta re-captures the Western Command and Military Operations Commands in Rakhine State.
In addition, joint military operations plans have been developed for the army, navy, and air force to defend Sittwe in the event of an AA attack, and thousands of military reinforcement have been sent as well.
