Introduction
The Arakha Army (AA), having achieved military successes and earned the revolutionary spirit of the people in Arakan State, has mandated that every adult, regardless of gender, serve a two-year military term—raising concerns among the local population. What makes it worse is the recent statement by the United League of Arakan (ULA), which prohibits women aged 18 to 25 and men aged 18 to 45 from leaving Arakan State, a move that has further shocked its residents.
This week, Burma News International–Myanmar Peace Monitor’s By-Weekly News Review focuses on the current situation of the AA and the issues of military service that have shaken the people of Arakan State.
AA’s Situation at a Glance
The AA has achieved significant military success by capturing 14 of the 17 townships in Arakan State from the military junta. Among the remaining three townships, the AA is actively continuing its offensives in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu.
In addition to territorial gains through military means, the Arakha Army (AA) successfully captured and now controls Sane Township and Paletwa Township in Chin State, which border Arakan State. Simultaneously, the AA has been collaborating with local resistance groups, including the Chin Brotherhood (CB) in Chin State, providing weapons and military support during the capture of Mindat and Kanpetlet by the CB.
Moreover, the AA has reportedly been coordinating with local resistance forces to launch offensives against the military junta’s troops through multiple fronts—advancing into Chin State via Kyauktaw Township, into Magway Region via Ann Township, into the Bago Region via Taungup Township, and into Ayeyarwady Region via Gwa Township, all of which are under AA control.
Although the AA, aiming to gain full control over Arakan State, is said to have reached the peak of its military success, establishing administration, judicial processes, and public services in the townships under its control has become has become a crucial process. In particular, ensuring the safety and security of the local population, as well as protecting their lives and properties in the occupied areas, has become a major focus for the AA.
“This is a critical time for the people of Arakan State. The Arakanese people must equally enjoy their rights while fulfilling their duties. According to the national defense strategy and policies of Arakan State, every adult citizen must undergo military training without exception and be ready to perform defense duties during emergencies,” said Khaing Thu Kha, spokesperson for the AA.
Emergency Provision or Conscription Issue
According to the statement released by the ULA on 22 May 2025, the ULA/AA enacted the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP) on 18 March 2025. Alongside this provision, efforts have been prioritized to ensure the safety and sustainability of the lives and property of the people within the Arakan region (Arakan State), while ongoing battles to capture towns continue with the goal of “bringing the entire Arakan State fully under the control of the people in Arakan State.” 1
Although only briefly mentioned in relation to the emergency provision, the ULA issued a four-point regulation under the NDEP that has sparked significant concern among the people living in Arakan State. The four regulations are as follows:-
“(1) Individuals eligible for military service who attempt to leave the Arakan State to avoid service are prohibited from traveling until the military situation stabilizes; (2) Individuals within the age groups of females 18 to 25 years and males 18 to 45 years are prohibited from traveling until the end of the emergency period caused by the ongoing battle; (3) Individuals who carry or transport people fleeing Arakan State via land or water routes for a fee are also strictly prohibited; (4) Traders are strictly prohibited from bringing additional passengers or charging fees for transporting goods during their travels.”
AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha explained that the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP) was enacted with four main objectives:
“To fully carry out national defense duties through the active participation of the entire people in Arakan State; To safeguard and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arakan State through the active participation of every citizen; To establish a national defense system that unites all ethnic groups and religions in the Arakan region in harmony, protecting the country from all internal and external threats; and To ensure that every citizen equally shares responsibilities and rights in maintaining and promoting the sovereignty of Arakan State.” 2
Khaing Thu Kha also stated that, although many people in Arakan State are eligible for military service under the NDEP, not all will be called up at once. Instead, individuals will be selected by batch according to the number of recruits needed.
However, the ULA/AA’s National Defense Emergency Provision and military conscription, which significantly impact the people of Arakan State, are being criticized for lacking transparency and alleged violations of basic human rights. There is growing concern among the population over arrests related to forced recruitment and military service.
Protests Against AA Conscription
On 18 May 2025, the day the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP) was enacted, hundreds of local residents from AA-controlled villages—including Tan Hlwe Ywama, Kintaung, Lamomaw, Sarpyin, Taung, and Lamu in Taungup Township, Arakan State—staged protests.
Residents from Tan Hlwe Ywama, Kan Pyin, Thet Kal Kyun, Sar Pyin, Kin Taung, and Lamomaw villages in Ywama Station of Taungup Township held a protest in response to ULA/AA officials calling up all eligible adults for military service. However, on that same day, more than 50 locals were reportedly arrested, and as of March 25, they had not yet been released. 3
A family member of one of the detainees said, “ULA/AA officials pressured villagers to comply with military service, insisting it was mandatory. When parents protested out of dissatisfaction, the authorities responded by firing shots to disperse the crowd. Over 50 villagers, including protesters and young people, were arrested.”
On 28 May 2025, the Chin Political Steering Committee (CPSC) in Arakan State issued a statement demanding the release of over 60 Chin youths and students who were detained by the AA and sent to military training. The CPSC has suggested that the ULA/AA which has achieved military and political successes through the support and cooperation of the Arakanese people, The CPSC has recommended that the ULA/AA reconsider the prohibitive measures that do not prioritize the interests of the local population. 4
As the ULA/AA advances toward the full liberation of Arakan State, urgent resolutions concerning military service under the National Defense Emergency Provision are essential to address the escalating concerns of the local population.
Review
Based on events and data documented by BNI–MPM, the AA’s conscription matter and the National Defense Emergency Provision remain largely inaccessible and difficult for the people of Arakan State to fully comprehend. Moreover, the AA has yet to issue any formal public statement regarding these matters.
Therefore, it has been observed that AA field officers responsible for implementing the provisions are unable to adequately explain the military service requirements to the local population. Meanwhile, there have been numerous incidents involving public pressure, forced arrests, and widespread opposition.
If the true intention is to secure the genuine support and participation of the Arakan people in the region, then the entire National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP), including the specific military conscription regulations, must be communicated transparently and officially to ensure clear public understanding.
Given the current situation on the ground, with ongoing internet and communication restrictions, it is essential that official announcements are effectively conveyed to the public. The ULA must urgently address the growing concerns by openly explaining and discussing these announcements directly with the people, while actively listening to and considering the responses of the people in Arakan State.
Now, the goal of the AA to achieve the full liberation of the entire Arakan region (Arakan State) is visibly approaching. The military council holds scattered authority over Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung Townships only. The AA must take into careful consideration all matters related to the security and survival of not only the Arakanese people living in the Arakha region but also all other ethnic communities residing there.
It should be noted that, beyond the atrocities committed the military coup, winning the hearts and minds of the people in the Arakan region may be even more difficult and challenging than driving the military out with weapons. The issue of military conscription by the AA—which has caused deep concern among the people in Arakan State—has now become an urgent matter requiring immediate and serious attention, on par with military operations.
1 Notice issued for the people who are trying to flee Arakan State, AA Info Desk, 22 May 2025
2 Who is exempt from AA’s military service provision? (video), Irrawaddy, 26 May 2025
3 More than 50 Taungup locals who were arrested by the AA for protesting military service have not been released yet, Western News, 25 May 2025
4 CPSC calls for release of detained Chin students, Narinjara, 28 May 2025