The Arakan Army (AA) has reassured the people of Arakan of its commitment to capturing the entire Arakan (Rakhine) State.
The AA will continue its fight until it liberates the entire Arakan State from junta control, spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha said at an online press conference on August 12.
“We now control over 90 percent of Arakan State, and we will continue pursuing our Way of Rakhita until we reach 100 percent,” he said.
The Way of Rakhita, also known as the Arakan Dream, has no single definition, yet it serves as a powerful unifying message for the Arakan people. Many interpret it as a form of Arakan nationalism aimed at establishing an Arakan nation.
The AA remains steadfast in pursuing its military objectives, U Khaing Thu Kha added.
The AA controls most of Arakan State but has yet to take three key cities: Kyaukphyu, Sittwe, and Manaung. Although fighting continues in Kyaukphyu Township, it has faced delays in capturing Kyaukphyu Town, the township’s administrative center, due to some reasons, U Khaing Thu Kha explained.
“Since the AA chose war, we hope it leads to a swift resolution and a stable peace afterward. We all know how terrible the impacts of war are. But honestly, I believe in the AA’s military capabilities. I’m confident it will capture the last remaining cities in Arakan State,” said a woman from Pauktaw Township.
In military operations across Arakan State, the AA has captured towns and cities and secured victories, but many local people have suffered the consequences of the war. Numerous residents have been forced to flee their homes and struggle to make a living. Towns like Paukaw, Ponnagyun, Ramree, and Buthidaung have been severely damaged during the clashes, causing great hardship for their communities.
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), two ethnic armed groups that masterminded the well-known Operation 1027 alongside the AA, were compelled to relinquish control of some towns to the junta under pressure from the Chinese government. However, U Khaing Thu Kha said there is very little chance the AA will face the same fate.
“Other groups have had to give up some towns, but it won’t be the same for the AA. Our alliances have different backgrounds, so the chances of the AA having to relinquish towns are very low,” he said.
The junta has currently declared martial law in more than 60 townships nationwide, including those under AA control.
The junta is attempting to regain control of these townships and has also launched new military operations in AA-held areas of Arakan State.
