Narinjara News, July 9, 2025 

Hundreds of members of Arakanese ethnic groups are said to be joining the Arakan Army (AA) in order to receive military training in support of the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP) that the AA has put into effect.

According to a man close to the (ULA/AA), people from the Khami, Myo, Sakma (B) Dain, and Thet ethnic groups in Rakhine State have been traveling from distant locations in large numbers to join the Arakan Army (AA) for military training in order to support (NDEP) out of their own free will.

"From the areas under AA control, members of the Rakhine ethnic group attended the military training at their discretion. We welcome these ethnic group members since they came with the intention of protecting their land. The Arakanese and their ethnic group members have experienced generations of oppression, he said.

Narinjara was informed by an older member of the Mro ethnic group that they joined in order to protect their home and back the AA.

"The ethnic group members live on the borders and in the mountains, making them more vulnerable to ethnic conflicts. They experienced the majority of their hardship during the military government and in disputes with Muslims. For this reason, they are determined to safeguard their home and their population. They enroll in the training since they need to acquire some military skills in order to defend themselves in the event of an emergency.

Young people from the towns of Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Paletwa, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, and Ponnagyun are among those who have now joined the AA for military training.

According to reports, hundreds of thousands of young men from Maungdaw, Taungup Mrauk-U, Paletwa, Myebon, and other townships are enrolled in military training to back the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP).

The National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP), which has four (4) points, was issued by the Arakan Army (AA) in May of this year.

These are the objectives: (1) To actively participate in protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Arakan State; (2) To completely discharge national defense duties with the involvement of the entire Arakan population; (3) To establish a national defense system that includes all religions in unity and love in order to protect the Arakan State from all internal and external threats; and (4) To guarantee that every citizen has equal rights and obligations in maintaining and promoting the sovereignty of the nation of Arakan.