March 31st, 2022
At the very beginning of the revolution journey, the Arakan Army (AA) faced a rocky road. Kokang leader U Pheung Kya-Shin and leaders provided the AA with weapons to fulfill this role, Military Chief of the AA Major General Tun Myat Naing said at the funeral services of U Pheung Kya-Shin on March 29th.
When established in 2009, the AA had a gun and 26 members only. At a time when the AA was on a rocky road, U Pheung Kya-Shin presented 100 guns to the AA, Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing “We could infiltrate the Arakan State by carrying 100 guns and two RPGs. This is a crucial matter for the Arakan revolution,” he added.
“Thanks to his help, the AA now has hundreds of battalions with around 300 members per battalion. The AA is engaging in the fighting by joining hands with its allied organizations,” he continued.
“We can see exactly how deep relation and attachment was built among Kokang and Arakan allied brothers just by looking at this point alone. Leader U Pheung Kya-Shin and the The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are crucial for the revolution being made by the Arakan and Ta’ang people. We earnestly honour and record them as valuable friends,” he said.
On the morning of February 16th, U Pheung Kya-Shin died in Mongla. His funeral services will be held in Mongla for three days from March 29th. It is attended by leaders of the EAOs.
On April 10th, 2009, the AA was established at Laiza of Kachin State where the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is located.
From late 2018 till the first week of November, 2020, there were intense fighting between the AA and Myanmar military, in Arakan State.
The AA is the ally of the KIO, the MNDAA and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The AA is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA).
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).