United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) (2022

SUMMARY

Founded: 10 April, 2009

Headquarters: KIA – controlled area in Kachin State.

Active Territories: Kachin State, Northern Shan State, Paletwa in Chin State and the entire Arakan State.

Strength: More than 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.

Following the 2020 Election, fighting between the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) and the military council stopped suddenly. With the talks of holding elections for skipped constituencies, a truce was reached through an understanding between the ULA/AA and the military council. Following the 2021 military coup, some clashes between the military council army and the ULA/AA had resumed, and there was competition between the military council and the ULA/AA for territorial control in Arakan State.

The ULA/AA had some discussions with the military group due to the participation in the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) and the intervention of the Chinese government. On the other hand, clashes broke out between military council forces and the joint forces of the Northern Alliance—the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

It must be said that the ULA/AA is involved in the Spring Revolution if you consider the congratulatory statements sent to the forces of the Spring Revolution, such as the Student Armed Force (SAF), the Yaw Defence Force (YDF), the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), the People’s Revolution Alliance (PRA) (Magway), including statements about military training and assistance provided by The Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the ULA/AA.

The Alliance Relations Committee (ARC) of the National Unity Government (NUG) officially held online meetings with the leaders of the ULA/AA. The role of ULA/AA during the Spring Revolution is likely to materialize. At the ceremony to mark the 14th anniversary of the ULA/AA on 10 April 2023, nearly 30 organizations such as the Brotherhood Alliance, Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and the NUG sent congratulatory messages.

Clashes with the military council force	There were 81 clashes in 2020, five in 2021 and 90 in 2022.
Clashes with the EROs	There were two clashes with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in 2023.

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

Ceasefires and Peace Process
Non-ceasefire signatory EAO

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]