Territory of the Arakan Army

Arakan, officially known as Rakhine State, is located along the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in western Myanmar. Since the Myanmar Civil War, which escalated due to the coup d'état in 2021, the AA has launched offensives to capture the entire Rakhine State under its control. Rakhine State has experienced long political, social, and economic challenges. Since 2017, the region has received international attention because of the Rohingya crisis and the growing influence of Arakan Army (AA).^[9][10]

On 10 April 2009, the Arakan Army was founded with its temporary headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State, which was at the time and currently is under the control of the Kachin Independence Army.^[11]

The political objective of the AA is to establish an "Arakan Nation" through the "Way of Rakhita", an ideology in restoring sovereignty to the people of Arakan. The AA began its conflict with the military in northern Rakhine State in 2015. Fighting intensified in late 2018 and continued until the first week of November 2020, three months before the military coup. Major-General Twan Mrat Naing, the leader of the AA, has stated his preference for a "confederation status" for the region.^[10]

The Arakan Army's begun its offensive on November 13, 2023. Seventeen days after the launch of Operation 1027 by the Northern Brotherhood Alliance, the AA began its own counter-offensive.

After the February 2021 coup, the Arakan Army discouraged residents of Rakhine State from joining the nationwide anti-regime movement, instead it has expanded its armed capabilities. Since November 2023, the AA launched attacks on military positions in Rakhine State. It quickly took control of dozens of military, police, and Border Guard Police outposts in northern Rakhine. However, it also faced early setbacks, including a withdrawal from Pauktaw town shortly after claiming control. Between early 2024 until the end of the year, the townships Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Pauktaw, and Ponnagyun fell under the AA.^[12]

As of late 2024, the AA has reportedly taken control of 15 townships^[a] and held control over more than 90% of Rakhine territory. After advancing across Rakhine, its has also spread into southern Chin, Magway, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions.^[13]

Since mid-2025, the armed group has claimed the control of the following townships:^[14]

In 2019 the Arakan Army established the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government (APRG), back then called Arakan People's Authority. The duty of the APRG is to govern the territory of the Arakan Army. The APRG controls various departments formed by the government under AA such as the Arakkha People's Public Health Department and Arakkha Education Department.^[15][16]

The ULA/AA's top decision-making system is mainly controlled by the five senior leaders who hold main positions in both the ULA/AA. For governance, the ULA/AA divides its controlled areas into three main military regions called Alpha, Victor, and Nova. Each of these regions is further divided into three or four smaller units. On the administrative side, it uses the same 17 townships as the Myanmar central government in Rakhine State, and it also includes Paletwa in southern Chin State as an administrative area. The ULA/AA runs hospitals, educational institutions, and clinics. In 2022, it created the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office to manage aid and development assistance. According to reports, there is a lack of technical skills and trained staff due to long years of underdevelopment and weak governance in Rakhine state. Aid organisations report that the ULA/AA's system for approving humanitarian and development work is weak with inconsistent information flow that can delay or disrupt aid operations.^[17]

Allegations have been made that minorities such as Rohingyas, Hindu, Mro and Kamein under AA territory are subjected to conscription and forced labor.^[22][23]

On 2 May 2024, it was alleged that the AA massacred civilians of the minority ethnic group Rohingya people after they captured Htan Shauk Khan village in the Buthidaung Township.^[24][25] The armed group has been further accused of serious war crimes.^[26]

• People's Government of Kokang
• Ta'ang People's Government
• Wa State
• Chinland
• Karenni State Interim Executive Council
• Republic of Kawthoolei
• Sagaing Federal Unit Interim Government
• Territory of the Kachin Independence Army