Ethnic armed group claims capture of key western Myanmar border

FILE - Myanmar border guards provide security near the fence at a no-man's land between Myanmar and Bangladesh, near Taungpyolatyar village, Maungdaw, northern Rakhine state, June 29, 2018. The Arakan Army claimed, Dec. 8, 2024, the capture of the last army outpost in Maungdaw. FILE - Members of Myanmar Border Guard Police, in civilian clothing, sit under the shade of trees after abandoning their posts following fighting between Myanmar security forces and the Arakan Army as Bangladesh border guards stand guard in Bangladesh, Feb. 5, 2024.

One of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmar’s army has claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometer (168-mile) border with Bangladesh.