CNI News
6 November 2023
Among the armies in Myanmar, Rakhine army is the most powerful after the Myanmar Tatmadaw (considered as Bamar Army), U Kun Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.
Many Rakhine youths are serving in the Arakan Army (AA) and AA has deployed its troops across the country, he said.
" To the best of my knowledge, among the armies in Myanmar, AA is the most powerful after the Bamar Army ( the Tatmadaw). AA contains a lot of Rakhine youths. So, AA can deploy its troops across the country. AA troops are in Karen, Kachin and Shan States. And AA has their own territory. AA troops are at battles with their allies in other parts of the country." he said to CNI News.
While seeing an intersection in Rakhine State
At present, at the battles against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State, AA troops are fighting with its brotherhood allies. Moreover, in cooperation with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), AA is fighting against the Tatmadaw in Kachin State and Sagaing Region.
AA had created a route from Kachin State through Chin State to Rakhine State in order that weapons could be exported, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.
While seeing AA troops
" AA was founded by gathering Rakhine youths who came to jade mining site. And then, AA sent its troops to Rakhine State. But AA troops are in Kachin State as well. AA has created a route from Kachin state through Chin State to Rakhine State in order that weapons could be exported. To tell you the truth, KIA gave birth to disciples and took protection. And KIA gave birth to Palaung armed group and took protection as well. AA troops in Kachin State and Sagaing Region are KIA's allies, you might say so. In other words, AA troops there are kind of mercenary soldiers." he said.
The Arakan Army was formed in April, 2009 and AA took a foothold in Paletwa Township, Chin State and penetrated into Rakhine State reportedly. Currently, the military strength of the AA is at least 30,000 troops, which those monitoring the armed groups said.
