The Arakan Army (AA) has announced that it will continue to support the Chinland Defense Force – Mindat (CDF-Mindat) in its fierce fight against the military junta, as a good neighborly partner.
The Arakanese army conveyed the message through a congratulatory message to the 2nd anniversary of CDF-Mindat’s founding, which falls on April 24th. The message was sent from the ethnic army’s Alpha-3 military region.
In the message, the AA stated that it has been the CDF-Mindat’s best neighborly partner organization since its inception, and will continue to promote mutual understanding, trust, and support to the best of its ability.
The CDF-Mindat is an ethnic army that emerged during the Spring Revolution to represent its region and people. The AA’s Alpha-3 region stated that the CDF-Mindat has been courageously fighting against the military council in Mindat Township, Chin State, for over two years with whatever weapons they have, including Tumee rifles.
Some people have expressed concerns that the Chin people were affected by the AA’s entry into Paletwa Township and the commencement of their military activities.
However, political analysts say the AA’s message to CDF-Mindat signifies an improvement in military, political, and ethnic understanding between the Chin and Arakanese communities.
“In the past, some Chin politicians criticized the AA’s activities. However, since the 2021 coup, the ethnic army has become increasingly strong in terms of providing military training and forging alliances. He added that the AA’s message to CDF-Mindat is a positive gesture in both revolutionary and political aspects.,” said U Tun Kyi, an Arakanese political analyst.
In its message, the AA stated that the CDF-Mindat is working hard to build a compact and strong Chin National Defense Force in pursuit of their shared political goal of eradicating the military dictatorship and achieving genuine federalism.
Chin State shares a border with Arakan State, and historically, the Chin people have been the third largest minority group in Arakan State. Similarly, the Arakanese people also reside in Chin State.
“The AA’s message to the CDF-Mindat is a very good gesture to us. Chin State and Arakan State share a border. In the future, Chin and Arakanese peoples need to work together to create a good political image, from harmonious cooperation to building trust,” said a Chin youth from Thandwe Township.
Chin State has been a stronghold of resistance against military rule, and the Arakan Army has been providing military training and ammunition to the Chin defense forces based there.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).