The Arakan Army (AA) opposition group in Myanmar said it had captured a major military headquarters in the west of the country, marking the collapse of the military government's second headquarters, AFP reported on December 21.

Accordingly, AA said it had gained full control of the military command headquarters in Ann town in Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh, on December 20 after 2 weeks of fierce fighting.

If confirmed, this would be the second regional military command to fall into the hands of opposition armed forces in the past five months, and a major blow to the Myanmar military.

The Myanmar military has 14 military commands across the country, many of which are currently conducting operations against armed opposition forces, including the People's Defence Force, which was established after the 2021 coup.

Fighting has rocked Rakhine state since the AA attacked security forces last November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the coup.

AA members have taken control of large swaths of territory in the state, home to port projects funded by China and India, and have virtually cut off the state capital Sittwe.

AA posted a photo of a man they said was the deputy commander of the Ann area they were holding. AA and the Myanmar military government have not commented.