Arakan Army: History, Rise, and Role in Myanmar’s Conflict

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Arakan Army led by Arakan’s younger generations, has become one of the most credibility army forces in Burma fighting for self-determination, national equality, justice and freedom. In solidarity with all ethnic people who have been struggling in Burma and with the Arakanese around the globe in particular, we pursue our mission with excellence, compassion and modesty to protect our fatherland.

Profoundly guided by inspirations of our faith, value, legacy and true vision that unite us as a people—we are committed to meet the tests of history; it defines our destiny. The land of Arakan belongs to the people of Arakan. To protect our ancestral land is the price of our freedom. No one should be denied the right to determine their own destiny, to be free of oppression—because freedom of expression is universal aspiration of humanity.

📍 Origins and Formation (2009)

The Arakan Army (AA) was officially established on April 10, 2009, by a group of ethnic Rakhine (Arakanese) youths in Laiza, Kachin State — a region controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Their goal was to fight for self-determination and greater autonomy for the Rakhine people in western Myanmar.

Founding leader: Major General Twan Mrat Naing
Founding base: Under protection of KIA in northern Myanmar
Initially formed as an armed wing of the United League of Arakan (ULA), which serves as its political wing

The early years saw the AA focused on training and building a force capable of eventually operating in its homeland, Rakhine State.

🎯 Arakan Army Goals and Ideology

The Arakan Army advocates for:

Self-determination and political autonomy for the Rakhine (Arakan) people
Protection of ethnic identity, language, and cultural heritage
Establishment of a federal union in Myanmar with equal rights for all ethnic groups

While not officially secessionist, the AA’s rhetoric often emphasizes “Arakan national liberation”, and the group enjoys increasing support among the Rakhine population.

🔥 Rise and Military Engagements (2015–2019)

Key developments:

2015: AA begins to make its presence felt in Rakhine and Chin states, conducting small-scale ambushes and engaging the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw).
2018–2019: Major escalation. The AA intensifies attacks against Tatmadaw outposts and infrastructure in Rakhine, gaining territory and popular support.
2019: The conflict becomes one of the most intense in Myanmar, overshadowing even the long-running civil war in Kachin State.

Notable Tactics:

Guerrilla warfare
Coordinated attacks on military convoys
Use of remote landmines and IEDs

The Myanmar government responded with massive crackdowns, resulting in civilian casualties and displacement — over 100,000 people displaced at the peak of fighting.

📸 Public Relations and Social Media Strategy

Unlike many other ethnic armed organizations, the AA has developed a strong digital presence, using Facebook and other platforms to:

Post videos of training and operations
Promote Rakhine nationalism
Build a favorable narrative among Rakhine youth

This strategy has significantly bolstered its support base within the region.

⚖️ Designation as a Terrorist Organization (2020)

In March 2020, the Myanmar government officially designated the AA as a terrorist group, citing its attacks on police and military posts. However, the group maintained popular support, and its designation was widely seen as politically motivated by critics.

🤝 Ceasefire and Political Maneuvering (Late 2020–Early 2021)

In late 2020, just before the national elections, a de facto ceasefire emerged between the AA and Tatmadaw. Some speculate it was politically convenient for both sides:

The Tatmadaw wanted to avoid multi-front warfare
The AA sought space to consolidate its control over parts of Rakhine

The terrorist label was quietly dropped in March 2021.

⚔️ Post-Coup Era: Strategic Expansion (2021–2023)

After the 2021 military coup, the AA:

Expanded control in northern Rakhine, including administrative and judicial functions
Avoided full-scale war in early post-coup chaos but remained a rising power
Used the junta’s weakening grip to build parallel governance structures, often referred to as “AA territory” or “liberated zones”

By 2023, the AA had become one of the most powerful and organized ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.

🔄 Renewed Conflict (Late 2023–2024)

In November 2023, the AA launched renewed offensives in Rakhine State as part of the broader anti-junta movement coordinated with:

Three Brotherhood Alliance (with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army)
Part of Operation 1027, a major nationwide offensive against the junta

This phase saw:

Capture of multiple junta outposts and towns in Rakhine
AA’s control expanding to more than half of Rakhine State
Seizure of weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles

By early 2024, the AA had taken control of major routes and even launched attacks near Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State.

🌐 Governance and Civil Administration (2024–2025)

Now functioning as a de facto government in large parts of Rakhine, the AA has established:

Police forces and courts
Education programs teaching the Rakhine language
Local tax collection systems

They have also banned drug trafficking, disciplined soldiers for misconduct, and issued ID cards in areas they control.

Some analysts compare their governance to that of the Kachin Independence Organization or even the Taliban’s parallel government during U.S. occupation in Afghanistan — though with a different cultural and ideological outlook.

⚖️ Humanitarian Concerns

The expansion of fighting has led to:

Increased civilian displacement, especially in areas of active conflict
Concerns about food shortages, blocked aid, and militarization of civilian life
Rising ethnic tensions between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in contested zones — an issue the AA walks a tightrope on

The Arakan Army claims it protects all civilians but has been accused of discriminatory practices in some areas.

🛡️ Current Strength and Influence (2025)

As of 2025:

Estimated troop strength: 20,000+ armed personnel
Controls major swathes of northern and central Rakhine State
One of the most influential ethnic armed organizations in Myanmar
Plays a central role in the anti-junta alliance, with growing diplomatic clout among ethnic groups and even cautious engagement with foreign observers

🔮 The Future of the Arakan Army

The Arakan Army stands at a crossroads. It is:

A powerful military force
A budding political authority
A symbol of Rakhine nationalism

Its future depends on:

The outcome of the broader Myanmar conflict
How it manages ethnic relations, especially with the Rohingya
Whether it transitions from an armed group to a recognized political entity in a future federal Myanmar

Whatever path it takes, the Arakan Army has reshaped the balance of power in western Myanmar — and its story is far from over.