Residents in AA-held areas face new restrictions on travel outside Arakan State

By Admin 17 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

17 January 2026, Kyauktaw

Residents of townships controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) are now allowed to travel outside Arakan State only for health, trade and other social needs after obtaining approval from ward, village, local and township administrators, according to local residents.

Previously, Arakanese were able to travel freely without letters of recommendation from local authorities. Under the current rules, residents must obtain a series of recommendation letters before leaving the state.

"In the past, locals could travel freely to India without any checks. Now, people are allowed to travel outside Arakan State for health, trade and other social needs only after obtaining approval from ward, village, local and township administrators," said a local resident in Kyauktaw. "The main purpose is to prevent young people subject to the military service law from leaving Arakan State."

The United League of Arakan has tightened restrictions on people eligible for conscription under the National Defence Emergency Provision (NDEP) amid an increase in the number of residents attempting to leave Arakan State.

Travel outside the state has been restricted since 2025. At that time, only traders travelling to Magway Region were strictly inspected, while restrictions on traders travelling to India began in 2026.

An Arakanese trader said that previously only those travelling to Magway Region were required to carry recommendation letters. "Starting this year, traders going to India are allowed to leave only with a township-level recommendation letter. Some traders have to return from the border because they do not have one," he said. "Those travelling for medical treatment are also required to carry recommendation letters from village and township authorities."

Local residents said the step-by-step process of obtaining recommendation letters has slowed travel.

In Arakan State, some young men eligible for military service are reportedly seeking to leave for mainland Myanmar to pursue education.

The Arakan Army controls 14 townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State, where it is carrying out administrative and judicial functions.