Arakanese people enjoying freedom in liberated areas: AA vice C-in-C

Narinjara News, 5 April 2023

Arakan Army’s vice commander-in-chief Dr Nyo Twan Awng claims that the organization has been waging a revolution in Rakhine (Arakan) State for the last 14 years and leading to liberation of certain territories in the region.

The AA leader further asserts that the Arakanese people are experiencing the freedom in the liberated areas.

Dr Nyo Twan Awng, who addressed an online program titled ‘Question and Answer About Liberated Areas’ at 7 pm on Tuesday, which was organized by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF).

"In the past 14 years, we can assume that the Arakanese people in liberated areas have been enjoying the freedom to a certain extent," he stated.

He asserted that they are collaborating with The Way of Rakkhita to bring liberations to the remaining areas of the Rakhine (Arakan) region.

"We admit that still there are some areas in Rakhine State which are yet to be liberated. We are working with The Way Of Rakkhita to continue our movement,’ he added.

He clarified that a liberated area is not defined by the borders, but by the native land where the local people reside.

Rakhine revolutionary leaders have been trying to liberate the Arakan region for a long time, but they faced obstacles time to time. During the 14-year revolution led by the United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army (ULA/AA) they have successfully gained the control over the liberated
areas in Rakhine State.

Dr Awng pointed out that the liberated areas remain secured and under their control. They are controlling the areas in various sectors like administration, education, health, judiciary, etc.

The AA was established on 10 April 2009 in Lai Zar, located in Kachin State, where the headquarter of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is also placed.

AA’s commander-in-chief major general Twan Mrat Naing revealed that when the organization was formed, they had only 26 soldiers with a gun.

He stated that despite the challenges the AA later established hundreds of battalions in the Arakan, where each battalion includes 300 or more soldiers.

In 2014, the AA entered into Rakhine State and soon engaged in battles primarily in the townships of Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Sittwe, Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Minbya, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyaukphyu, and Ann. The conflict localities also included the Myanmar-India and  Myanmar-Bangladesh border areas along with Paletwa township of Chin State.

After the ceasefire with the Myanmar military rulers in 2020, the administration & judiciary in Rakhine State had undergone a major transformation, where the Rakhine people started believing the ULA/AA controlled administration and judiciary.

As the resurgence battle is suspended due to humanitarian reasons, AA members have been providing assistance to the internally displaced persons and also local farmers in the process of rice harvesting in Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw and Minbya localities.

As the ceasefire continues, the military council focuses on repatriation of IDPs and also start supplying military equipments to the battalion camps, where the AA members remain active in development initiatives like constructing and opening of roads and bridges.

ULA/AA officials held a formal function on 25 March celebrating the completion of Thayetchaung bridge and Karmay creek bridge, located in  Rathedaung township.

Lai Gwin Chey bridge, constructed by the ULA/AA, was opened on 25 January in Rathedaung township.