The Arakan Army (AA) has seized control of another town in Myanmar's conflict-ridden Rakhine state, as over 200 soldiers fled Rathidong city following an attack by rebel forces.

Reports from various media outlets, including Irrawaddy, on Monday detailed the rebel group's assault on Rathidong, which began two weeks ago. The city was besieged by AA fighters, leading to intense fighting with Junta forces. Eventually, the soldiers were compelled to evacuate the city in the face of relentless attacks, resulting in casualties among both military personnel and civilians.

Rakhine State has been predominantly occupied by the Arakan Army, with the insurgent group recently declaring its official victory in the region. The escalation of conflict follows the military coup on February 1, 2021, when the Junta forces seized power, overthrowing the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The NLD had secured a landslide victory in Myanmar's parliamentary elections in November 2020, winning 346 out of 412 seats. However, the military's abrupt seizure of power plunged the country into turmoil, sparking widespread pro-democracy protests and resistance.

Since the coup, the Junta forces have been accused of committing atrocities and launching attacks on civilians, resulting in the deaths of at least 4,500 individuals and the imprisonment of 25,000 others. In response, several pro-democracy organizations, including the Arakan Army, have intensified their resistance against the military regime, escalating the conflict across the country.