AA makes clear its statewide territorial ambitions

By Admin 03 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 June 2024, Sittwe

The Arakkha Army (AA) has announced that the ethnic armed group has so far seized nine out of 17 townships in Arakan State and will attempt to take control of the remaining eight.

The AA has seized large swaths of territory and effective control of nine the Arakan State townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. The AA will launch an offensive attack on the regime in an effort to seize Maungdaw, Sittwe, Ann, Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Manaung and Gwa townships, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on June 2.

The AA has begun attacking military camps in Maungdaw, Ann and Thandwe townships.

“The fascist military council, which is militarily defeated in Arakan State, is clearly seen preparing its defences in order not to lose its remaining bases, as well as preparing for a counter-offensive,” the Sunday statement said.

Fighting between the military and AA is not reported yet in Gwa and Manaung townships, but the regime has sent reinforcements to the two townships to prepare for the defence.

The regime has deployed a large number of junta soldiers from mainland Myanmar in Gwa Township since the third week of May, locals said.

“The regime has recently built fences at the township football pitch and an airport to create an artillery unit,” a local resident in Manaung told DMG.

Political analysts said the AA’s political goal is to achieve confederation, which requires the acquisition of a large number of occupied territories, and will continue to fight fiercely for the complete acquisition of Arakan State.

“When talking to the regime, you need to be strong and you need to have power forces and a large number of territories. That way, when you negotiate with the other side, you will get what you want,” said political analyst U Pe Than.

Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing, chief of the AA, said the ethnic armed group had close to 40,000 combat troops, not counting thousands of reservists.