CNI News
9 October 2025
Among the towns controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, the towns of Ann, Thandwe, Taung Goat, and Gwa are currently being discussed by military and political analysts regarding their strategic importance to the Myanmar Tatmadaw.
Out of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, the AA now controls 14, while the Tatmadaw still holds Sittwe, Manaung, and Kyaukphyu. The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on September 14 that elections could not be held in 56 townships across eight regions and states, but notably, the four AA-held townships of Ann, Thandwe, Taung Goat, and Gwa were not among them.
According to Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the Tatmadaw considers these four southern Rakhine townships critical for defending the Ayeyarwady Region.
A map showing Ann, Taung Goat, Gwa and Thandwe
He explained: “The military likely has primary and secondary objectives. I can’t say which is which, but it’s a matter of necessity and ambition. What remains unclear is whether they will pursue these objectives through military means or negotiation. However, the decision to include those four townships in the election list wasn’t coordinated with the ULA/AA—it shows the military’s intent to eventually retake them by force if needed.Only by regaining control of those southern four townships can the Tatmadaw secure the entire Ayeyarwady Region. These townships adjacent to Ayeyarwady Region, are ways going into the mainland. Fighting could reach as far as the Ayeyarwady’s fringes. Ann is linked to Minbuu by road; Taung Goat connects toward Pyay. Along the western banks of the Ayeyarwady River are many of the military’s weapons factories. This means the AA might have plans to target those areas, while the Tatmadaw must prioritize defending them. Whether they’ll prioritize the south first, or places like Buthidaung and Maungdaw for international or strategic reasons, is uncertain.”
Analysts suggest that because the Tatmadaw considers these four townships strategically secure, they were not listed among areas where elections cannot be held. They further assess that elections could be conducted in seven townships of Rakhine State.
The towns of Ann, Thandwe, Taung Goat, and Gwa serve as key outlets connecting Rakhine State to central Myanmar.
Additionally, U Myo Kyaw of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News that the Tatmadaw suffered a significant loss when it lost control of Ann, home to the Western Command headquarters.
The AA troops
“Those four towns form the eastern front of Rakhine. They lie along the main routes connecting Rakhine and central Myanmar. The Western Command’s headquarters was in Ann, and losing it was a major blow to the military. Currently, fighting is taking place along those same routes, where pro-democracy resistance forces—such as the Federal Democratic groups formed after the 2021 coup—are also active in alliance with others to resist the Tatmadaw. Because of this, the military has resorted to intimidating civilians in those areas out of frustration at its defeats. After retreating from those territories, it’s now making excuses about elections and claiming those areas as its own—behavior I find utterly disgraceful.”, he said.
The townships in Rakhine State where elections cannot be held are those under AA control, including Ranbye, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon in Rakhine State as well as Paletwa in Chin State.
For the upcoming December 28, 2025 elections (Phase 1), six political parties are set to compete for representation in Rakhine State.
They are Arakan Front Party (AFP) led by Dr. Aye Maung, Arakan National Party (ANP) led by U Ba Shein, Rakhine National Force Party, Khami National Development Party, Mro Ethnic Party, Mro Development Party.
