CNI News

11 March 2025

There are questions among the people whether the Arakan Army will launch offensives to Sittwe. With China's brokered engagement, the AA probably will meet with the State Administration Council, according to those close to both sides. 

Sittwe was not so important to the discussion; the AA was increasing military operations in Sittwe kind of while preparations were being made to put the crisis on the discussion roundtable, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" Sittwe is not the main cause. So, the AA is just threatening it kind of. Because the AA wants its ethnic rights or political right, it must have threatened Sittwe. And then it has to continue the dialogue means to win its political right. While preparations were being made to put the crisis on the discussion roundtable, it's increasing its military operations. Only when Sittwe can be captured, for example, will the peace talks be convenient, which is not right. If the EAO has capture the heart of the people and basic territories, it's just a great force. While the AA is launching offensives to the three Regions, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing succeeded in diplomatic relations after returning from Russia. If both sides increase their power and compete, it will only cause more damage to the local people and the cities." he said.

While seeing the AA

The AA has been launching its offensives in Rakhine State since 13 November 2023 and after it had captured 14 townships, it released on 29 December 2024 it would solve the domestic problem through political means. 

Although it has reported that it will solve the problem through political means, battles are breaking out between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Magway, Bago and Ayeyarwady Regions adjacent to Rakhine State.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw was not worried about Sittwe but mainly about that the AA was extending its operations in Ayeyarwady, Magway and Bago Regions, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

"That the SAC is mainly worried about is not Sittwe, but about that the AA is launching offensives to Ayeyarwady, Magway and Bago Regions. They will try to negotiate it, I think. But the AA had announced that it would discuss. In my opinion, as the AA has had the upper hand militarily, which part must be stopped or which part must be suspended won't arise. So, if the peace talks were held, military negotiations probably won't take place, I think." he said.

At president, the AA is waging battles in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin States, northern Shan State, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Magway and Sagaing Regions and making attempts to win a political status that is not lower than the confederation.