Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, November 14, 2024

According to AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha, the Arakan Army (AA) has taken control of more than 90 percent of the land in Maungdaw, Ann, Taungup, and Gwa townships amidst ongoing heavy clashes in Arakan State, as reported by Narinjara News. 

U Khaing Thukha commented on the military situation during the one-year offensive of the Arakan Army (AA) as the group celebrated its anniversary on November 13, 2024. 

“In areas with ongoing conflict, the AA has taken control of 95 percent of the land in the townships. In certain regions, AA now controls over 90 percent of the land. Maungdaw, Taungup, Ann, and Gwa are among the townships mentioned. The AA keeps gaining control over them one by one,” he mentioned. 

In the last year, the AA has taken control of 11 townships, including Paletwa, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Myebon, Ramree, Minbya, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, and Thandwe. 

The AA is currently carrying out attacks in Ann, the location of the Western Command; Maungdaw, a border town with Bangladesh; Taungup, where the 5th Military Operations Command (MOC-5) is based; and Gwa, the southernmost township in Arakan State.

According to U Khaing Thukha, the AA has taken control of more than 90 percent of the land in these townships. 

“Throughout the past year, our success has been possible thanks to the cooperation of the United League of Arakan, the Arakan Army, and the Arakan populace. We will persist in advancing until we achieve our military and political objectives,” he stated.

As of now, major conflicts have not taken place in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships in Arakan State. 

U Khaing Thukha stated that the Arakan Army (AA) has made notable military advancements from November 13, 2023, to November 13, 2024, and is poised to continue progressing to achieve its objectives. 

AA has taken control of administrative, judicial, and public matters in the 11 townships it has captured. 

In Gwa, Taungup, Ann, and Maungdaw townships, the AA has seized control of rural areas and is managing administration in certain villages amid continued intense fighting. 

According to U Zaw Zaw Tun, who is the executive director of Action for Community Resilience Organization (ACRO), which offers social support in Arakan State, despite the military achievements in the year-long conflict, the residents of Arakan are facing hardships because of interrupted transportation and continuing airstrikes. 

Nevertheless, he observed that the citizens are still displaying resilience, maintaining optimism for the eventual end of military governance and the future prosperity of Arakan State. 

"People are experiencing challenges unlike anything they have faced previously. They find it extremely challenging, yet they refrain from complaining. They persevere, clinging to hope for a peaceful future, despite all the challenges,” he stated.

Political analysts predict that aside from Ann, Maungdaw, Taungup, and Gwa townships, where conflicts are currently happening in Arakan State, Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships, which have not seen fighting yet, could also be taken over by the Arakan Army (AA) by 2025.