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Founded – 10 April 2009 Headquarters – KIO-controlled territory Areas of Operation – 28 townships in Ayeyarwady, Bago (East), Chin, Magway, Sagaing, Shan (North), and Arakan Commander-in-Chief – Major General Twan Mrat Naing Deputy Commander-in-Chief – Dr. Nyo Twan Awng Secretary (1) – Colonel Kyaw Han Telegram – https://t.me/aainfodesk Website – https://www.arakanarmy.net/ Looking at the military success of the Arakan Army (AA), which emerged with “Operation 1027” in northern Shan State, its ability to capture 26 towns in a single year, from the fall of Paletwa town on 14 January 2024, to the capture of Gwa town on 29 December 2024, can be considered a very significant achievement. The AA’s ability to provide military training and guidance, coordinate joint operations, and supply arms and ammunition to local armed resistance forces that emerged during the Spring Revolution has earned it the trust and confidence of fellow resistance forces. Although formal cooperation with the National Unity Government (NUG) in political and military matters has not yet been observed, it must be said that the Arakan Army, led by Major General Twan Mrat Naing, has not engaged in actions that disregard the goals of ending the military dictatorship and building a federal democratic union. The Arakan Army, which began with the Arakan national agenda and objectives (The Way of the Rakhita or the Arakan Dream), has shifted its ideological approach toward the liberation of all ethnic groups, ensuring equal opportunities without distinction between majorities and minorities, and fostering unity among all ethnic groups. General Twan Mrat Naing has stated that they will continue to fight to gain complete control of the entire Arakan region. He also said, “We want to build the future together in unity. However, if we do not get the things we deserve, we may consider other options.” The AA’s military movement, which has captured and controlled 14 out of the 17 townships in Arakan State, including the military junta’s Western Regional Military Command (RMC), continues to move toward Arakan State and its adjacent areas. It is militarily pressuring the military junta in cooperation with local allied resistance forces. Running administrative, judicial, and other public services in the captured and controlled towns has become an important priority for the Arakan Army. Ensuring the security and protecting the lives and property of the people in the controlled territories has become a major focus, and the military junta’s aerial attacks are a key challenge. Additionally, the Arakan Army’s policy mandating that “all adults, regardless of gender, must serve a two-year military term,” along with the United League of Arakan’s directive prohibiting women aged 18 to 25 and men aged 18 to 45 from leaving Arakan State, has caused concern among the people in the region. The military junta now only has partial control over three towns: Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung. However, the Arakan Army’s offensive against the military junta remains active.
Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2024 – 2025) |
