Residents of Arakan (Rakhine) State townships under the control of the Arakan Army (AA) are now permitted to travel outside the state only for specific reasons such as health, trade, and social needs, and only after obtaining approval from AA-appointed ward, village, local, and township administrators, according to local sources.
Previously, Arakan residents could travel freely without letters of recommendation or other official travel documents. Under the new rules, travelers must secure a series of recommendation letters before leaving the state.
"Before, people could travel to India freely without any approvals. Now, you can only go out of Arakan State for health, trade, or other social needs if the ward, village, local, and township administrators approve it. The main reason is to stop young people who are marked for conscription by the AA from leaving," said a resident of Kyauktaw Township.
The United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the AA, has tightened restrictions on those of conscription age under the National Defence Emergency Provision (NDEP) following a rise in residents attempting to leave Arakan State.
Travel monitoring beyond the state began in 2025, initially aimed at Magway-bound traders, and was extended to India-bound traders with stricter restrictions in 2026.
"From this year, traders going to India need recommendation letters from local administrators. Some traders had to turn back at the border because they didn’t have one. Before, only traders going to Magway needed these letters," said an Arakan trader.
"Even those going for medical treatment now have to get recommendation letters from the village and township authorities," he added.
Locals in AA-controlled townships said the bureaucratic process of obtaining these recommendation letters has caused significant travel delays.
Some young men eligible for military service are reportedly trying to leave Arakan State for mainland Myanmar to continue their education.
Currently, the AA controls 14 townships in Arakan State, as well as Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State, where it is establishing administrative and judicial systems.
