<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>An ethnic armed group in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine said it has taken control of a town bordering India and Bangladesh, marking the latest loss for the military government as it battles rebellion in several parts of the country.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Myanmar is in the throes of an insurgency on multiple fronts, where allied anti-junta groups backed by a pro-democracy parallel government have seized control of several military posts and towns.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the biggest challenge the junta has faced since it mounted a coup against an elected government in 2021.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA) said late yesterday it had conquered Paletwa, a port town on the Kaladan River that is key to trade with neighbouring countries.</div><div><br></div><div>“Regarding border stability issues, we will cooperate at our best with neighbouring countries,” said AA spokesman Khine Thu Kha in a statement, adding the group will take over administration and law enforcement in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>A spokesman for the junta did not respond to a request for comment.</div><div><br></div><div>Reuters could not independently verify the AA’s claim.</div><div><br></div><div>The fall of Paletwa in the west comes after another rebel group in the Three Brotherhood Alliance took Laukkai town in Shan state on the border with China.</div><div><br></div><div>Last week, the junta agreed a ceasefire with that group, the TNLA, for the region bordering China.</div><div><br></div><div>The talks were held in the Chinese city of Kunming and facilitated by Chinese officials.</div><div><br></div><div>But yesterday, the rebel alliance said junta forces are breaching the ceasefire agreement, launching attacks in several townships in Shan state. - Reuters&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>