AA Seizes Ann — Western Regional Military Command Falls

On December 20, 2024, the Arakan Army captured Ann Township in central Rakhine State, seizing the headquarters of the SAC's Western Regional Military Command. The loss of a Regional Military Command was unprecedented and signaled near-total collapse of SAC military authority in Rakhine. AA now controlled 14 of 17 Rakhine townships. Only Sittwe (the capital) and Kyaukpyu (a Chinese-linked port city) remained outside AA control, and both were under pressure.