Ethnic armed group claims capture of strategic Myanmar town and control of border with Bangladesh

Myanmar border guards standing to provide security near the fence at a no-man's land between Myanmar and Bangladesh, near Taungpyolatyar village, Maungdaw. - AP

BANGKOK: 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-kilometre (168-mile) -long border with Bangladesh.

The capture by the Arakan Army makes the group’s control of the northern part of Rakhine state complete, and marks another advance in its bid for self-rule there.