United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA)

SUMMARY

Founded: April 10th, 2009

Headquarters: KIO-controlled area, Kachin State.

Active Regions: Kachin State, Northern Shan State, Paletwa township in Chin State, Rakhine State.

Size: Over 30,000

Commander-in-Chief: General Twan Mrat Naing

Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Dr. Nyo Twan Awng

Secretary (1): Colonel Kyaw Han

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) joined forces with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and began its fight against the Tatmadaw (military). The armed group is a close ally of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO/KIA), the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA), and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). As a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the ULA/AA participated in the peace process in Myanmar with the U Thein Sein administration, but was rejected when the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was signed.

Clashes between the AA and the Tatmadaw continue unabated. Fighting between the two sides intensified in 2019 and 2020 and expanded into Kachin State, northern Shan State, Rakhine State, and Paletwa Township in Chin State.

Despite recent talks with the Tatmadaw, fighting between the two sides has not subsided. As a result, the 2020 general elections could not be held in some constituencies of Rakhine State due to insecurity.

Fighting between the AA and the Tatmadaw abruptly stopped during the post-election period, and there were talks about holding by-elections in the constituencies not included in the 2020 general elections. Later, a ceasefire was reportedly reached between the AA and the Tatmadaw.

Fighting between the junta forces and the ULA/AA resumed following the February 2021 military coup and there has been competition between the SAC and the ULA/AA for territorial control of Rakhine State. The ULA/AA attended an informal meeting between members of the Northern Alliance and representatives of the military junta in Mongla, one of the NDAA-administered areas in eastern Shan State. The group has been invited to work with the NUG.

Ceasefires and Peace Process
Non-ceasefire signatory EAO

Fighting
2015 – 5+
2016 – 10+
2019 – 192
2020 – 104
2021 – 5
2022 (March) –

Official Representative Team
Colonel Kyaw Han
Spokesperson – Khaing Thu Kha

Liaison Offices
None

Alliances
FPNCC, Northern Alliance Burma

Contact
Website: http://thearakanarmy.com/
Email: [email protected]

Peace Process

Non-ceasefire
# of clashes –
2015: # 5+
2016: # 10+

Official delegation team

Col. Kyaw Han

Spokesperson:

Khaing Thu Kha

Liaison offices

N/A