Western Regional Military Command (Myanmar)


The Western Regional Military Command ; short form: Na Pha Kha is a regional military headquarters of the Tatmadaw, based in Ann Township, Rakhine State. Its primary responsibilities include defense, security, and military operations in Rakhine State, the southern part of Chin State, and adjacent areas. In addition, the Western Regional Military Command is responsible for the military leadership, operations, and logistics of its subordinate units and attached/supporting troops within its jurisdiction. The command also implements orders and directives issued by higher military authorities, ensures their proper execution, and exercises supervision and oversight. The current commander of the Western Regional Military Command is Brigadier General Kyaw Swar Oo .

History

The Western Regional Military Command was established on September 10, 1972, in Sittwe, Rakhine State. On January 7, 1981, the Western Regional Military Command opened a border region command under the leadership of the Chief of Staff, which extended from the southern Natmyitwun boundary, bordering Myanmar-Bangladesh, and expanded northwards to the tripoint of Myanmar-Bangladesh-India. In the mid-1990s, the Western Regional Military Command was relocated from Sittwe to Ann, Rakhine State, where it replaced a regional military command focused on regional defense. A regional defense military command was also opened in Sittwe. The areas of control included the entire Rakhine State and the Paletwa Township in Chin State. Subordinate military units were deployed in southern Rakhine State and Chin State. The first commander was Brigadier General Hla Htun, who took office with the number Kyei-5497.

Structure

The command structure consists of 3 regional command headquarters, 43 infantry and mobile battalions, 26 administrative units, and 12 naval units, totaling a minimum of 87 military units.
The military commands within the Naphak region, along with the subordinate commands, military strategies, and subordinate infantry/mobile units, are as follows:

Military Strategies

There is 1 base military strategy, 3 operational military strategies, and infantry/mobile units.

Military Operational Command Headquarters within the Regional Military Command Area

  • No. (5) Military Operational Command Headquarters Tangokut
  • No. (9) Military Operational Command Headquarters Kyauk Taw
  • No. (15) Military Operational Command Headquarters Butheetaung

Former Commanders of the Western Region Military Command

  • Brigadier General Hla Htun
  • Major General Min Gawn
  • Major General Wan Tin
  • Major General Soe Myint
  • Brigadier General Myo Thin
  • Brigadier General Win Myint
  • Brigadier General Aung Thwe
  • Brigadier General Maung Oo
  • Major General Min Aung Hlaing
  • Brigadier General Maung Shain
  • Brigadier General Thawng Aye
  • Brigadier General Soe Thein
  • Brigadier General Htun Nay Lin
  • Brigadier General Ko Ko Naing
  • Brigadier General Maung Maung Soe
  • Major General Soe Tin Naing
  • Brigadier General Phone Myat
  • Brigadier General Thin Latt Oo
  • Brigadier General/Brigadier General Kyaw Swa Oo 2024–Present

Collapse of the Military Headquarters

On 26 September 2024, the Arakan Army launched an attack on the Western Command and military camps in the Ann Township, Central Rakhine State. At 1:40 PM on 20 December 2024, the military headquarters was completely captured, and Brigadier General Thaung Tun, the deputy township administrator of Napaka, along with Brigadier General Kyaw Kyaw Than, the township chief officer, were arrested. This marks the second loss of a military headquarters in Myanmar's military history, following the collapse of the Northeastern Command.