The Arakan Army (AA), a powerful ethnic armed group in western Myanmar, has achieved a significant military victory by capturing the junta’s Western Command headquarters in Ann Township, Rakhine State. This marks the second regional command to fall to ethnic rebels in five months, following the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army’s capture of the Northeastern Command in Shan State last August. The fall of the Western Command solidifies the AA’s control over most of Rakhine State, leaving only a single junta stronghold in Gwa Township, and exposing neighboring Magwe Region to potential AA offensives. This operation, characterized by intense fighting and the capture of key military leaders, underscores the AA’s growing strategic dominance and operational capability. Beyond its immediate military implications, the victory deals a severe blow to the junta’s morale and control, isolates the state capital, Sittwe, complicates access to critical China- and India-backed infrastructure projects, and elevates the AA’s status as a leading player in the Myanmar civil war.