Rakhine offensive (2023–present) explained

Conflict:Rakhine Offensive
Partof:Myanmar civil war (2021–present)
Place:Rakhine State, Paletwa Township (Chin State) and Ngape Township (Magway Region), Myanmar
Territory:Arakan Army captures 9 major towns and 8 townships
Status:Ongoing
Combatant1: ----
    Combatant2:
      Commander1:
      Commander2:
      Date:13 November 2023 – present
      Units1:

      Disputed

      Units2: Arakan Army
      Strength1:Unknown
      Strength2:38,000+ (self-claimed February 2024)
      15,000+ (estimated February 2024)
      Casualties3:
      • 111 civilians killed, 357 injured (per a statement by AA, 18 February 2024)
      • nearly 200 civilians killed, more than 500 injured (per RFA, 3 April 2024)[2]
      • more than 300,000 displaced (per UNOCHA, 14 March 2024)[3]

      On 13 November 2023, the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic resistance group active in the civil war in Myanmar, launched a military offensive against Myanmar's military junta in Rakhine and southern Chin State. Fighting began concurrently with the launch of Operation 1027, which the Arakan Army, as a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, also participated in. The offensive broke an informal ceasefire between the Arakan Army and the junta that had been in place for a year. During the offensive, the Arakan Army captured several towns in northern Rakhine, including Mrauk U, the capital of Mrauk-U District and the historical capital of Arakan. These gains gave them total control over most of northern Arakan. The Arakan Army followed these successes by besieging Sittwe, the state capital, and Ann, the headquarters of the junta's western command. They also launched offensives in the southern parts of the state, capturing several towns and throwing junta forces into disarray. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported that the Arakan Army's sweeping gains "are already enough to enable self-rule over a large portion of the Rakhine homeland and to reshape the wider balance of power in Myanmar."[4]

      Background

      The Arakan Army and its civilian wing the United League of Arakan were founded in 2009 and quickly became one of Myanmar's strongest rebel groups. They gain territory in northern Rakhine and Paletwa Township by 2018 and fought with the Tatmadaw military in late 2018 after the central government entered their territory.[5] The fighting intensified until the Arakan Army announced a unilateral ceasefire in 2020 so that the 2020 general election could be held.[6]

      After the resurgence of civil war in 2021, the Arakha Army focused more on expanding their administrative capabilities.[7] However, over the 2022 monsoon season, the informal ceasefire reached in late 2020 between the Arakan Army (AA) and the junta broke down. With the military's attention diverted to the increasing resistance elsewhere and increasing popular support for an alliance with the NUG, the AA sought to expand its influence into southern Rakhine.[8]

      On 26 November 2022, the Arakan Army and the junta agreed to a temporary ceasefire brokered by Yōhei Sasakawa of the Nippon Foundation. Arakan Army spokespeople maintained that they agreed to the ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, as opposed to international pressure. The Arakan Army did not withdraw from fortifications held at the time of the ceasefire.[9]

      After the beginning of Operation 1027, the displays of Tatmadaw incompetence and the rapid gains made by the Three Brotherhood Alliance inspired many previously disconnected resistance groups began to work towards unity to overthrow the Tatmadaw, which came into power after a coup in 2021. The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed organisation (EAO) made up of primarily Arakanese which fights for the self-determination of the Arakan, broke the 1-year ceasefire agreed to in 2022 on 13 November 2023 by attacking Border Guard Police in Rathedaung Township.

      After several months, the Arakan Army has made rapid gains throughout Rakhine and southern Chin State, capturing 8 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State, alongside 9 major towns throughout the state. Despite wide support for the offensive, ethnic Rohingya have been in conflict with the Arakan Army, with many accusing the Tatmadaw of attempting to stir ethnic conflict using several aligned EAO's and protests.

      Timeline

      Operation 1027 begins

      On the morning of 13 November 2023, the Arakan Army (AA) attacked two Border Guard Police stations in Rathedaung Township, breaking the Rakhine State Ceasefire Agreement between the junta and the Arakan Army. Dong Paik camp was captured by 6:30 am. On 14 November, the junta had already abandoned around 40 outposts in Rakhine state after attacks by the Arakan Army, but few came under their immediate control.[10] Dozens of Myanmar security officers surrendered to the Arakan Army the following day.[11]

      The following night, the Arakan Army launched an attack on Pauktaw, seizing the township police station. By the next morning, the Arakan Army had taken control of the town. The junta sent two helicopter gunships alongside naval support to fire back, including at civilian housing, with heavy machine gun fire. Pauktaw's proximity to the Rakhine state capital, Sittwe, posed a threat to the junta.[12] Junta forces detained about 100 residents who were unable to flee, and positioned themselves to surround the town, using two navy ships to blockade the harbour.[13]

      On 14 November, the Arakan Army launched an offensive in Paletwa Township on the Chin-Rakhine border. The Arakan Army accused the Tatmadaw of using chemical weapons during the ensuing battles.[14] On 6 December, the Arakan Army announced that they had captured a major military base in the township.[15]

      On 8 January 2024, the Arakan Army continued Operation 1027 and captured the Taung Shey Taung base and its 200 junta soldiers in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State. They then escalated their offensive into Paletwa Township, Chin State with the aim of capturing Paletwa, a strategic town for the Indo-Myanmar Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project[16] On 15 January, the Arakan Army seized Paletwa and the entire township, declaring it a "military council-free area."[17] [18] A week later, the Arakan Army captured the town of Pauktaw in Rakhine State concluding a three-month battle.[19]

      On 17 January 2024, the Taingen camp on the Falam road to the Indian border was captured, with Chin resistance forces seizing arms and ammunition.[20] On 20 January 2024, after more than 600 junta soldiers and refugees crossed the India–Myanmar border, the Government of India announced a plan to fence the entire border.[21]

      Spillover into Bangladesh

      On 3 February 2024, as the clashes between the Arakan Army and Tatmadaw increased in Rakhine, mortar shells and several bullets reportedly landed in Bangladesh territory, which injured some local residents. Repeated bursts of gunfire and explosions were be heard across the Bangladesh–Myanmar border from Ukhia, Cox's Bazar.[22] At least 229 Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) personnel entered Bangladesh through the Tumbru border point seeking refuge from AA, where the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) disarmed them and gave them shelter in Bandarban district.[23] On 5 February 2024, a Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man died from a mortar shell that fell on the Ghumdum border in Bandarban, reportedly fired by Myanmar.[24]

      Fall of Mrauk U

      The Arakan Army captured most remaining Tatmadaw bases in Minbya by 6 February, almost taking full control of the township. On the same day, the Arakan Army seized the Taung Pyo junta outpost along the border with Bangladesh in Maungdaw Township.[25] The Arakan Army captured Kyauktaw the next day and continued fighting in Mrauk U and Ramree.[26]

      On February 7, the Arakan Army took control of Minbya Township after capturing the last two military battalion headquarters in the township.[27] Colonel Min Min Tun, commander of the 11th Light Infantry Division of the Tatmadaw, was killed during a battle at the base of the 377th Light Infantry Battalion in Mrauk-U Township.[28]

      The Tatmadaw abandoned Myebon to reinforce Kyaukphyu on 9 February, leaving ammunition behind in their rush and abandoning the southern township of Mrauk-U District.[29] The same day, the AA took the city of Mrauk U, completing their control over the township. During the battle, three Myanmar Navy landing craft were reportedly sunk.[30] [31] In response to the seizure of the three towns, the junta blew up bridges in Kyauktaw Township and the state capital, Sittwe.[32]

      During an evacuation attempt by the junta from Kyauktaw town during attacks by the Arakan Army on the same day, three naval landing craft were sunk. This resulted in the death of 700-900 retreating junta soldiers and their family members.[33] [34] According to a statement from the Arakan Army, the rebels rescued Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, commander of the 9th Military Operations Command, and some of his soldiers from the river.[35]

      The Arakan Army announced on 30 January that it was fighting to oust the junta from the coastal city of Ramree in Rakhine State. The junta had reportedly bombarded the town from gunboats for weeks before fighting began. 8,000 of the town's residents had been displaced due to the fighting. The AA claimed that the regime forces used chemical weapons to defend the town, a claim that the junta denied.[36]

      On 15 February, the Arakan Army captured Myebon[37] and started intensifying their assaults on Ramree. These assaults killed around 80 junta reinforcements between 24 and 26 February.[38] On 28 February, the Arakan Army captured the final junta outpost in Minbya Township, taking full control of the township.[39]

      Continued northern offensives

      On 5 March, the Arakan Army reportedly captured the town of Ponnagyun and its surrounding township.[40] During the battle, junta warships and fighter jets shelled the town, eventually destroying the Zay Ti Pyin bridge connecting Ponnagyun to Rathedaung.[41] The Arakan Army stated that it continued assaults on Rathedaung and Buthidaung Townships. The capture of Ponnagyun is significant as it is only 33 kilometres northeast of the regional capital, Sittwe, and allows the Arakan Army to threaten the city.[42] Tatmadaw tactical commander Colonel Myo Min Ko Ko and Major Saw Htwe were killed in Ponnagyung.[43]

      On 12 March, after an 85-day battle, the Arakan Army captured the town of Ramree.[44] In Maungdaw Township, AA also captured a border outpost forcing 179 junta soldiers to flee into neighboring Bangladesh.[45] On 17 March, the Arakan Army captured the town of Rathedaung, cutting off Sittwe from northern Rakhine State.[46] The AA claimed that the junta used forcibly conscripted Rohingya people as human shields during its unsuccessful defense of the town.[47] [48]

      On 15 April, the Arakha Army and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) clashed in Buthidaung Township, killing 25 Rohingyas. A local reported that the Tatmadaw and ARSA fought together during the clashes.[49] The Arakan Army announced on 18 May that it had taken complete control of Buthidaung, capturing the last junta positions in the area. The Arakan Army said that clashes continued with junta forces and armed Rohingya groups outside the town.[50] Twelve Rohingya civilians were reportedly killed in a junta airstrike on 17 May, and that same day the Arakan Army allegedly bombed a school with drones where Rohingya civilians were sheltering, killing 18 and wounding around 200.[51] Following Buthidaung's fall, large portions of the town and outlying villages were systematically burned to the ground. Witnesses and international organizations accused the Arakan Army of engaging in retaliatory arson against Rohingya people, ordering them out of their homes before burning them to the ground. The Arakan Army denied any involvement with the attack, blaming the fires on junta shelling during the course of the battle.[52] [53] [54]

      On 3 May, the Arakan Army captured the headquarters of the Border Guard Police in Maungdaw Township at Kyee Kan Pyin.[55] The Arakan Army began launching attacks on Maungdaw town on 21 May.[56] The next day, the AA claimed the capture of the No. 2 Border Guard Police Detachment near the entrance to the city.[57]

      Central and southern Rakhine offensives

      On 16 February, following clashes with the Arakan Army, junta forces abandoned the town of Ma Ei, destroying a bridge leading to the town as they left. Arakan Army forces occupied the town soon after and began landmine clearance operations.[58] [59]

      On 24 March, the Arakan Army began an offensive on Ann Township concurrently with their offensive on Sittwe, launching attacks on Ann, the headquarters of the junta's Western Command. North of Ann, the Arakan Army launched attacks on neighbouring Ngape Township in Magway Region. Ann's location is strategically important as the link between Rakhine and Magway via the Minbu-Ann road through the Arakan Mountains and as a gateway preventing AA from attacking southern Rakhine State.[60] On 27 March, Arakan Army forces seized a camp near Ge Laung village, Ann Township.[61] On 2 April, the Arakan Army announced it had captured a portion of the Ann-Minbu Highway, cutting off Ann from neighboring Padein.[62] During these offensives, on 10 April, the Arakan Army rebranded itself as the "Arakha Army" to represent all people living in Rakhine State.[63] On 27 April, the Arakan Army captured Taw Hein Taung base in the hilltops of Ann township.[64] On 26 June, locals reported that the fighting had moved closer to the town proper since the Taw Hein Taung base had fallen, prompting many to try and flee the fighting.[65]

      On 13 April, the Arakan Army began clashing with junta forces along the Thandwe-Taungup highway. Intense clashes broke out on 22 April around the Tha Htay hydropower plant in northern Thandwe Township, reportedly leading to the deaths of "dozens" of junta soldiers.[66] On 25 April, the Arakan Army began clashing with junta forces near the Ngapali Beach.[64] On 7 June, clashes broke out between the Arakan Army and junta forces north of Thandwe, with fighting inching steadily closer to the city over the following days.[67] On 26 June, the Arakan Army seized the headquarters of the junta's Battalion 566, forcing military troops to retreat to the town's airport and hotels inside the city. The Arakan Army announced they had secured the airport on 5 July.[68] Militia reinforcements brought by the regime from across Myanmar, as well as shelling from navy ships offshore, were unable to stop the Arakan Army's continued progress in its offensive. The Arakan Army claims to have killed over 400 troops during its push to seize the city.[69] On 15 July, the Arakan Army took control of Thandwe Prison, a major junta strong point. In the following days, it successfully consolidated its control over the town, pushing out remaining junta forces.[70] [71]

      On 15 June, the Arakan Army launched an offensive to seize the town of Taungup. Heavy fighting broke out around Taungup University, where a junta artillery battalion is stationed, and clashes were reported in downtown areas as well.[72] Retaliatory junta airstrikes reportedly hit civilian areas. Shelling from junta forces also damaged parts of the university.[73] On 18 June, the town's general administrator, as well as another town official, were arrested by the junta while trying to flee from the fighting to Yangon.[74] On 20 June, the Arakan Army ambushed a column of junta soldiers that had been sent from central Myanmar to reinforce the town, reportedly killing over 60 regime soldiers, including a captain.[75] On 23 June, two civilians were wounded after stepping on a landmine placed by junta forces.[76] Civilians were reportedly attempting to flee Taungup but were being turned back by junta forces.[77]

      On 9 August, the Arakan Army advanced into the state's southernmost township, Gwa Township. Clashes were reported around the Chinkwin Bridge and the town of Kyeintali. On 14 August, the Arakan Army captured the town.[78]

      Narinjara News reported on 12 August that over the course of the offensive, junta forces had destroyed 22 bridges throughout the state in attempts to impede the Arakan Army's advances.[79]

      Ethnic tensions with Rohingya

      Between 4 February and 6 February, the Arakan Army launched attacks on Rakhine Border Guard Police (BGP) outposts in Maungdaw Township. The Arakan Army later alleged that the Rohingya ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation fought alongside the Rakhine BGP, allegations they gave no evidence towards.[1] On 6 February the Arakan Army and the RSO cooperated on a joint assault against the Arakan Rohingya Army, who had captured a BGP camp along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.[80] 2 days later, the RSO denounced AA's accusations and the AA labeling them as "Bengalis" among other issues.[81] Some time in March, a Rohingya man was shot in Sittwe. After the Arakan Army was blamed, it was found that the shooting was committed by the Arakan Liberation Army, working as a proxy of the junta to stir ethnic tensions.

      In late February, despite the conscription law only applying to citizens, the military junta reportedly began to conscript displaced Rohingyas living in Kyaukphyu. On 6 March, in response to this junta recruitment, the AA urged Rohingya people to flee into AA-controlled areas despite the tense relations between the AA and Rohingya EAOs.[82] In Buthidaung, ARSA was allegedly training Rohingya people for the junta. Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, stated that at least 1,000 people from the Rohingya community being taken by the military from Buthidaung, Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, and dozens have been killed while being used as human shields in Rathedaung Township.[83] On April 15th, the Arakan Army clashed with the ARSA in Buthidaung, resulting in 25 Rohingya deaths and 3,000 fleeing.[84] ARSA and ARA reportedly fought with the Tatmadaw, where they burnt down homes and kidnapped civilians.[85]

      Civilian attacks

      See also: War crimes during the Myanmar civil war (2021–present). Junta shelling of a crowded market in Sittwe killed 12 people and critically injured 18 on 27 February.[86] According to RFA’s figures, 73 civilians were killed and 103 were injured between March 1 and March 18 for the junta sent airstrikes and artillery fire into communities captured by the rebel ethnic Arakan Army. In Myay Pon, junta airstrikes destroyed homes and schools; while in Mrauk-U, aerial drone attacks on March 15 and March 17 in ethnic Rakhine neighborhoods left three dead and eight injured. The UN chief António Guterres expressed "alarm" about the air attacks and called for calm.[87]

      The military accused AA of firing into Sittwe's Kathe neighborhood on 9 March, killing seven civilians.[88] AA reportedly slaughtered several military families attempting to flee Kyauktaw in Rakhine.[89] Five Rohingya were found dead after AA arrested them, but the group denied killing the men and said it was a result of warring drug gangs.[90]

      Information warfare

      A social media post in March 2024 showed the Rohingya protesting against the AA. Aung Kyaw Moe, a cabinet member of NUG, wrote in an X post that junta "is using the Rohingya as a proxy to protest against AA in Buthidang is not definitely organic." After multiple protests staged by Rohingya against the AA, some protest participants said this were forced by the junta and residents who didn't participate would be fined.[91]

      Spokesman for the UN Stéphane Dujarric said their local team sees the spreading of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech in northern Rakhine State.[92]

      Notes and References

      1. News: "On 4 February 2024, in Taungpyoletwea town (Maungdaw township, Maungdaw district, Rakhine state), the ULA/AA attacked the Taung Pyo Let Yar tactical hilltop base of the Border Guard Police. The ULA/AA alleged that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization fought alongside the Border Guard Police. Casualties unknown." . ACLED Dashboard.
      2. Web site: Series of junta attacks leave 6 dead in Myanmar. 2024-04-03. RFA.
      3. Web site: Airstrikes and shelling have killed 70 civilians in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. RFA. 2024-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20240330233702/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/rakhine-civilians-bombs-03222024151502.html. March 30, 2024.
      4. Web site: Zachary Abuza. Arakan Army’s gains enough to enable self-rule in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. RFA. 2024-04-06.
      5. News: Ethnic Army Clashes With Myanmar Forces, Leaving Casualties on Both Sides in Myanmar's Rakhine . 5 July 2020 . Radio Free Asia . 7 December 2018 .
      6. News: Myanmar Military Ready to Work With Arakan Army on Rakhine Voting . 20 November 2020 . Irrawady . 16 November 2020 . en.
      7. Web site: It’s Time to Engage The Resistance Govt in Myanmar’s Rakhine . Mra Thida . The Irrawaddy . en . 29 March 2024.
      8. Web site: Avoiding a Return to War in Myanmar's Rakhine State . 1 June 2022 . International Crisis Group . Brussels, Belgium . 6 January 2023 . 6 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230106140951/https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/avoiding-return-war-myanmars-rakhine-state . live.
      9. News: Myanmar military, Arakan Army halt hostilities on humanitarian grounds . Lipes . Joshua . en . 29 November 2022 . 29 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129183932/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/ceasefire-11282022182711.html . live .
      10. Web site: 14 November 2023 . Almost 40 Myanmar Junta Positions Abandoned in Rakhine: Arakan Army . 14 November 2023 . The Irrawaddy . en-US . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114141415/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/almost-40-myanmar-junta-positions-abandoned-in-rakhine-arakan-army.html . live .
      11. News: Myanmar rebels says dozens of junta forces surrender, captured. Reuters. 15 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231208233356/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-rebels-says-dozens-junta-forces-surrender-captured-2023-11-15/. December 8, 2023.
      12. News: AA Captures Town in Rakhine, Prompting Bombardment by Myanmar Military . 16 November 2023 . Hein Htoo Zan . The Irrawaddy . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117203523/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/aa-captures-town-in-rakhine-prompting-bombardment-by-myanmar-military.html . live .
      13. News: Arakan Human Rights Defenders Call for Safe Departure Agreement for Residents Trapped in Pauktaw . 21 November 2023 . en . 22 November 2023 . 22 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231122140451/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/arakan-human-rights-defenders-call-safe-departure-agreement-residents-trapped-pauktaw . live .
      14. Web site: Hein Htoo Zan . 5 December 2023 . Myanmar Junta Uses Chemical Warfare: Arakan Army . 6 December 2023 . The Irrawaddy . en-US . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207021538/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-junta-uses-chemical-warfare-arakan-army.html . live .
      15. Web site: 6 December 2023 . Arakan Army Declares Seizure of Major Myanmar Junta Base . 6 December 2023 . The Irrawaddy . en-US . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207024830/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/arakan-army-declares-seizure-of-major-myanmar-junta-base.html . live .
      16. News: Myanmar Junta Loses Nearly 50 Troops, More Bases in Three Days of Resistance Attacks . 10 January 2024 . en . The Irrawaddy . 15 January 2024 . 15 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115022517/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-junta-loses-nearly-50-troops-more-bases-in-three-days-of-resistance-attacks.html . live .
      17. News: Arakan Army resistance force says it has taken control of a strategic township in western Myanmar . Peck . Grant . 15 January 2024 . AP News . en . 25 January 2024 . 25 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125142403/https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-arakan-army-paletwa-chin-rakhine-e124bb0ff3dbfef6c84b39f141e972ca . live .
      18. Web site: Arakan Army Declares Victory in Paletwa, Myanmar's Chin State .
      19. Web site: January 25, 2024 . Arakan Army Captures Key Town From Junta in Myanmar's Rakhine State . The Irrawaddy . 25 January 2024 . 26 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240126031058/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/arakan-army-captures-key-town-from-junta-in-myanmars-rakhine-state.html . live .
      20. Web site: Around 30 Myanmar Junta Personnel Killed in Chin State: Resistance. January 20, 2024. January 17, 2024. The Irrawaddy. 18 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240118135631/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/around-30-myanmar-junta-personnel-killed-in-chin-state-resistance.html. live.
      21. News: India-Myanmar border to be fenced soon, says Home Minister Amit Shah . 20 January 2024 . The Hindu . en . 26 January 2024 . 26 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240126182417/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/will-protect-myanmar-border-like-that-of-bangladesh-amit-shah/article67759383.ece . live .
      22. Web site: Alamgir. Nur Uddin. Tension mounts as war rages on BD-Myanmar frontier. Daily Sun. February 2024. 5 February 2024. 5 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240205133710/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/733524. live.
      23. Web site: 95 Myanmar Border Guards take shelter in Bangladesh amid clashes with insurgents . bdnews24.com . 5 February 2024 . 5 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240205061832/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/5j9il1tdie . live .
      24. Web site: Aziz . Abdul . Tension at border: Fear grips residents in Bandarban . Dhaka Tribune . 6 February 2024 . 6 February 2024 . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206093034/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/338753/tension-at-border-fear-grips-residents-in . live .
      25. Web site: Myanmar's Military Driven Out of Township in Northern Rakhine, Reports Say. 7 February 2024. The Irrawaddy. 7 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240207113816/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmars-military-driven-out-of-township-in-northern-rakhine-reports-say.html. live.
      26. Web site: AA captures six towns so far, two more waits for coming under their control. 8 February 2024. Narinjara News. 8 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240208171938/https://www.narinjara.com/news/detail/65c4752be20c36ccd92cf253. live.
      27. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmars-military-driven-out-of-township-in-northern-rakhine-reports-say.html
      28. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/two-senior-myanmar-junta-officers-captured-others-missing-in-battle-aa.html
      29. News: 12 February 2024 . Police and junta soldiers abandoned their Myebon stations . en . Narinjara News . 15 February 2024 . 13 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213214548/https://www.narinjara.com/news/detail/65ca224a333fc8585bc935fc . live .
      30. Web site: February 9, 2024 . AA: Historic Mrauk U Seized From Myanmar's Junta . Hein Htoo Zan . The Irrawaddy . 11 February 2024 . 11 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240211184344/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/aa-historic-mrauk-u-seized-from-myanmars-junta.html . live .
      31. News: Kyaw Hsan Hlaing . A New Era is Dawning For the People of Myanmar's Rakhine State . 14 February 2024 . . 13 February 2024 . 14 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214025007/https://thediplomat.com/2024/02/a-new-era-is-dawning-for-the-people-of-myanmars-rakhine-state/ . live .
      32. News: Myanmar military blows bridge to Rakhine State capital as AA advances . Hein Htoo Zan . The Irrawaddy . en . 12 February 2024 . 13 February 2024 . 13 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213161248/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-blows-bridges-to-rakhine-state-capital-as-aa-advances.html . live .
      33. Web site: Massacre in Myanmar - Rebels attack ships carrying military personnel and families in Rakhine state; close to 900 people including children dead . 2024-02-14 . The Star . en.
      34. Web site: Arakan Army attacks three ships carrying military personnel and families with drop bombs, killing 700-900 people on the river, including women and children, reports say . 2024-02-14 . Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd . en.
      35. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/two-senior-myanmar-junta-officers-captured-others-missing-in-battle-aa.html
      36. Web site: January 31, 2024 . Arakan Army Fighting to Seize Rakhine Coast Town . The Irrawaddy.
      37. News: Arakan Army captures another Rakhine State town, warns locals clashes may continue . Myannmar Now . en . 16 February 2024 . 17 February 2024 . 17 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217073534/https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/arakan-army-captures-another-rakhine-state-town-warns-locals-clashes-may-continue/ . live .
      38. News: Myanmar Junta Suffers Disaster in Battle for Rakhine Township: AA . The Irrawaddy . en . 27 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240301062729/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-junta-suffers-disaster-in-battle-for-rakhine-township-aa.html. March 1, 2024.
      39. News: AA seizes last junta base in Minbya Township, Rakhine State . Myanmar Now . en . 28 February 2024.
      40. Web site: AA confirms capture of Ponnagyun township near Sittwe . 2024-03-05 . www.narinjara.com . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20240310165233/https://www.narinjara.com/news/detail/65e6c10706ecccb92de35b51. March 10, 2024.
      41. News: Villages engulfed in flames, bridges damaged in Ponnagyun after junta's airstrikes . Narinjara . en . 5 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240311092659/https://www.narinjara.com/news/detail/65e6c1bc06ecccb92de35ce6. March 11, 2024.
      42. News: AA Seizes Ponnagyun, Stepping Stone to Capital of Myanmar's Rakhine State . The Irrawaddy . en . 5 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240311092657/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/aa-seizes-ponnagyun-stepping-stone-to-capital-of-myanmars-rakhine-state.html. March 11, 2024.
      43. Web site: Two Myanmar Junta Colonels, Major Killed During Battle for Ponnagyun .
      44. News: Arakan Army captures Ramree after months of fighting . Myanmar Now . en . 12 March 2024.
      45. News: Arakan Army Claims Seizure of Myanmar Junta Border Outpost . The Irrawaddy . en . 13 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240313152401/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/arakan-army-claims-seizure-of-myanmar-junta-border-outpost.html. March 13, 2024.
      46. News: Arakan Army takes Rathedaung, its eighth town seizure in Rakhine State . Myanmar Now . en . 18 March 2024.
      47. Web site: AA Confirms Complete Capture of All 3 Battalions in Rathedaung . 2024-03-19 . www.narinjara.com . en.
      48. Web site: Correspondent . Diplomatic . 2024-03-19 . Arakan Army takes control of Rathedaung in Rakhine state . 2024-03-19 . Prothomalo . en.
      49. https://www.rfa.org/burmese/program_2/rohingya-killed-buthidaung-04152024043904.html ဘူးသီးတောင်တိုက်ပွဲ ရိုဟင်ဂျာ ၂၅ ဦးသေဆုံး၊ ၃၀၀၀ နီးပါး ထွက်ပြေးနေရ
      50. Web site: 18 May 2024 . AA Claims Seizure of Buthidaung Near Bangladesh Border . The Irrawaddy.
      51. Web site: 18 May 2024 . About 30 Rohingya killed in clashes between Myanmar junta, insurgents . Radio Free Asia.
      52. Web site: 20 May 2024 . UNHCHR expresses serious concern over violence in Buthidaung . 2024-05-20 . Narinjara News . en.
      53. Web site: Nathan . Ruser . 17 May 2024 . Buthidaung is burning . 2024-05-20 . X (formerly Twitter).
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      56. News: Arkan Army Launches Battle For Control of Myanmar’s Border With Bangladesh . The Irrawaddy . 22 May 2024.
      57. News: AA captures the 4-mile border guard post near Maungdaw . The Irrawaddy . 23 May 2024.
      58. Web site: 23 February 2024 . Ma Ei town Liberated from junta forces, AA conducts landmine clearance operations . 2024-08-19 . Narinjara News . en.
      59. Web site: 17 February 2024 . Junta forces abandon Ma Ei town, destroy bridge with mine attack . 2024-08-19 . Narinjara News . en.
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      61. Web site: 2024-03-28. Myanmar ethnic army sets eyes on ninth township in Rakhine state. RFA. https://web.archive.org/web/20240403204637/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/arakan-army-ninth-township-03282024045722.html. April 3, 2024.
      62. News: Battles with Arakan Army escalate near junta's Western command headquarters . Myanmar Now . 2 April 2024.
      63. News: Rebranding Arakan Army to represent all people in Rakhine State: AA spokesperson . Narinjara . 12 April 2024.
      64. News: 29 April 2024 . Deputy Battalion Commander, Captain Killed Near Myanmar's Ngapali Beach: Residents . The Irrawaddy.
      65. Web site: 28 June 2024 . Fighting near Ann town's western command compel residents to flee . 2024-08-12 . Narinjara News . en.
      66. News: AA Battles Myanmar Junta Forces Near Rakhine Tourist Hotspot . 22 April 2024 . The Irrawaddy.
      67. Web site: 7 June 2024 . Arakan Army Inches Closer to Seizing Airport Near Myanmar’s Premier Beach . The Irrawaddy.
      68. Web site: AA Seizes 566th Battalion in Thandwe, Mazin Airport, Ngapali Resort Town, and Maungdaw's 2nd Border Guard Police Battalion . 2024-07-08 . Burma News International . en.
      69. Web site: Brian . Wei . 8 July 2024 . AA: Myanmar Junta Grip Weakens on Maungdaw and Thandwe . The Irrawaddy.
      70. Web site: AA Seizes Thandwe Prison, Consolidates Control Over Town . 2024-07-24 . Burma News International . en.
      71. Web site: Current Situation in Thandwe Town Following AA Control . 2024-07-24 . Burma News International . en.
      72. Web site: AA Launches Offensive to Capture Tanungup . 2024-07-08 . Burma News International . en.
      73. Web site: 19 June 2024 . Artillery shell explodes on Taungup University campus, damages properties . 2024-07-08 . Narinjara News . en.
      74. Web site: 25 June 2024 . Junta forces arrest Taungup administrator, municipal official while fleeing to Yangon . 2024-07-08 . Narinjara News . en.
      75. Web site: 22 June 2024 . AA intercepts junta reinforcement column in Taungup, 60 soldiers killed . 2024-07-08 . Narinjara News . en.
      76. Web site: 26 June 2024 . Man, girl lose legs after stepping on landmine in Taungup, another gone missing . 2024-08-12 . Narinjara News . en.
      77. Web site: 12 August 2024 . Myanmar Junta on Brink in Rakhine as AA Advances Into Southernmost Township . The Irrawaddy.
      78. Web site: 15 August 2024 . Arakan Army Captures Town in Far South of Myanmar’s Rakhine State . The Irrawaddy.
      79. Web site: 12 August 2024 . Junta destroys 22 bridges during fighting in Arakan State . 2024-08-12 . Narinjara News . en.
      80. News: Bangladeshis fret over unconfirmed return of Rohingya militant Nabi Hossain amid Myanmar conflict . bdnews24 . 9 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240329145648/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/6vxbpgnzrl. March 29, 2024.
      81. https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/02/10/7035 RSO denounces Arakan Army and junta accusations, affirms Rohingya rights
      82. News: AA Offers Save Haven to Rohingya Targeted for Conscription by Myanmar Junta . The Irrawaddy . en . 6 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240310213037/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/aa-offers-save-haven-to-rohingya-targeted-for-conscription-by-myanmar-junta.html. March 10, 2024.
      83. Web site: Sarah Shamim. How is renewed violence in Myanmar affecting the Rohingya?. 2024-03-22. Al Jazeera. https://web.archive.org/web/20240401041155/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/22/how-is-renewed-violence-in-myanmar-affecting-the-rohingya. April 1, 2024.
      84. https://www.rfa.org/burmese/program_2/rohingya-killed-buthidaung-04152024043904.html ဘူးသီးတောင်တိုက်ပွဲ ရိုဟင်ဂျာ ၂၅ ဦးသေဆုံး၊ ၃၀၀၀ နီးပါး ထွက်ပြေးနေရ
      85. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-using-rohingya-recruits-to-sow-ethnic-hatred-activists.html Myanmar Junta Using Rohingya Recruits to Sow Ethnic Hatred: Activists
      86. Web site: Myanmar junta kills 12 after firing into crowded market. RFA. 2024-02-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20240316061816/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-shelling-02292024055546.html. March 16, 2024.
      87. Web site: Al Jazeera. 2024-03-19. UN ‘alarmed’ by reports of civilian casualties in Myanmar air attacks. https://web.archive.org/web/20240326111448/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/19/un-chief-alarmed-by-reports-civilians-killed-in-myanmar-air-strikes. March 26, 2024.
      88. Web site: 2024-03-11. Indiscriminate shelling kills family in western Myanmar. RFA. https://web.archive.org/web/20240401052337/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/rakhine-shelling-03112024061801.html. April 1, 2024.
      89. Web site: ‘Backs to the wall’: Myanmar military prepares to mark Armed Forces Day. Al Jazeera. 2024-03-26. Andrew Nachemson. https://web.archive.org/web/20240331163149/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/26/backs-to-the-wall-myanmar-military-prepares-to-mark-armed-forces-day. March 31, 2024.
      90. Web site: Five Rohingya found dead after Arakan Army arrest. 2024-04-24. RFA.
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      92. Web site: ရခိုင်မြောက်ပိုင်းမှာ အမုန်းစကားနဲ့သတင်းမှားပြန့်နှံ့မှု ကုလစိုးရိမ်မကင်းဖြစ်. 2024-05-02. Voice of America. Burmese.