Arakha Army (AA) has taken control of over 90 percent of the territories in Maungdaw, Ann, Taungup, and Gwa Townships in Arakan State, according to AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha.
On the one-year anniversary of the AA’s offensive operation, which fell on 13 November, 2024, U Khaing Thukha made this statement when asked about the military situation in Arakan State.
U Khaing Thukha stated, “We are working to capture these townships. In some areas, we have already taken 95 percent of the territory, and in others, more than 90 percent. These townships include Maungdaw, Taungup, Ann, and Gwa. We are capturing the areas in these townships one by one.”
During the one-year operation, the AA has taken control of 11 townships: Paletwa, Kyauktaw, MraukU, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Myebon, Ramree, Minbya, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, and Thandwe.
The AA is currently conducting offensives in several key areas: Ann, where the Western Command is based; Maungdaw, a border town near Bangladesh; Taungup, home to Military Operations Command (MOC)-5; and Gwa, the southernmost township in Arakan State. The AA has seized more than 90 percent of the territory in these townships.
“Over the course of this year, if we look at it overall, the ULA/AA has achieved success thanks to the collective efforts of both the ULA/AA and the people of Arakan State. We will continue to advance until we achieve our military and political goals,” U Khaing Thukha said.
Currently, there are only three townships in Arakan State where major fighting has not occurred: Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung.
As the AA achieved significant military success during the one-year period from 13 November 2023, to 13 November 2024, when the battle for Arakan State resumed, U Khaing Thukha added that the AA will continue to advance in order to achieve the goals set for the coming period.
The AA is managing administration, judiciary, and public affairs in the 11 townships it controls in Arakan State.
Despite the intense fighting in Gwa, Ann, Taungup, and Maungdaw Townships, the AA has already gained control of the rural areas, with the exception of the towns themselves. In some villages, the AA has taken over administrative functions.
Despite the military successes achieved during the year of the war in Arakan State, the people of Arakan State are suffering the consequences of the conflict, including disruptions to transportation and the impact of aerial bombings, said U Zaw Zaw Tun, Executive Director of the Action for Community Resilience Organization (ACRO).
“During this period, the people are truly facing hardships that they have never experienced before. They are in great trouble. But they don’t complain. They long for a peaceful country beyond these struggles. That’s why, we can see that we see them enduring and remaining persistent,” U Zaw Zaw Tun said.
However, he went on to say that he sees the people moving forward with resilience, anticipating the end of the military dictatorship and the future prosperity of Arakan State.
In addition to Ann, Maungdaw, Taungup, and Gwa townships, where fighting is ongoing, political observers predict that Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung Townships may also fall under the control of the AA in 2025.
Sent by Narinjara
