Alliances
United Wa State Army (UWSA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), Karen National Union (KNU).
Organization Name
United League of Arakan (ULA)
Armed Force
Arakan Army (AA)
Political Organization
United League of Arakan (ULA)
History in Brief
Established – April 10, 2009
Headquarters – A temporary headquarters has been established in Laiza, where the KIO headquarters is also located.
Areas of operation – Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Sittwe, Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Minbya, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyaukphyu and Ann Townships in Rakhine State; the Myanmar-India border; the Myanmar-Bangladesh border; Paletwa Township in Chin State; Kachin State and northern Shan State.
Estimated strength – over 30,000
Note: ULA/AA senior leadership has officially stated that about 30,000 personnel serving as permanent troops out of those who have undergone formal military training. This does not include others who have undergone basic military training and have joined militias or other ULA/AA mechanisms in Rakhine State.
Leader – Maj. Gen. Twan Mrat Naing (ULA Chairperson, AA Commander-in-Chief), Brig. Gen. Dr. Nyo Twan Awng (ULA General Secretary, AA Deputy Commander-in-Chief)
The AA was formed on April 10, 2009, in Laiza by 26 young Rakhine people. The AA held its first conference from January 10 to 16, 2016, and formed its political wing, the ULA, with 21 Central Committee members.
AA troops undergoing military training in KIA territory first gained military experience by operating with the KIA in Kachin State and with the MNDAA in the Kokang region, and later infiltrated into Rakhine State in 2014. At that time, there were only sporadic clashes between the AA and the Myanmar military in Rakhine State.
The AA sent representatives to participate in the negotiations to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) held under President Thein Sein. However, the Myanmar military stated that because the AA is a newly formed group that arose during the new government’s term, it will only be permitted to participate in the peace process after disarmament.
Since November 2018, conflict conditions in northern Rakhine State have been tense. On January 4, 2019, the AA attacked four border guard posts in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, and Rathedaung townships, further escalating tensions.
Starting in 2019, the AA resumed talks with the government and military on a ceasefire. However, clashes continued. In August 2019, in northern Shan State, the Arakan Army and its allies attacked several townships, namely Pyin Oo Lwin, Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, Kutkai, and Hseni, as well as key routes for Myanmar-China trade, destroying roads and bridges.
On April 10, 2019, marking its 10th anniversary, the organization changed its Burmese name from “Rakhine Tatmadaw” to “Rakhine Tattaw.” “Tattaw” translates to ‘smart army.’
In March 2020, the AA was officially designated an unlawful association by presidential decree. The Anti-Terrorism Central Committee also labeled the AA a terrorist organization. Post military coup, the AA was removed from the list of terrorist organizations on March 23, 2021.
On October 27, 2023, the AA, MNDAA, and TNLA (the Three Brotherhood Alliance) jointly launched Operation 1027. Although the AA did not take control of the towns occupied by the alliance during the operation, it has established military bases in the Muse 105-mile trade zone and some sections of the Union Highway. With the mediation of China, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA) and the State Administration Council (SAC) reached the Haigeng Agreement on January 12, 2024, and Operation 1027 was suspended.
While fighting in northern Shan State has come to an end, the AA and the SAC have continued to clash in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin State. The AA occupied Paletwa and Sa Mee Towns in Chin State and captured Kyin Dway town with Chin Brotherhood Alliance forces. In Rakhine State, the AA now controls 14 out of 17 townships, except for three townships: Sittwe, Munaung, and Kyaukphyu.
On April 10, 2024, the 15th anniversary of the AA’s formation, the name of the armed force was changed again to ‘Arakkha Tatdaw’. Since ‘Rakhine’ represents only one ethnic group, the name was changed to ‘Arakkha’ to represent all the ethnicities and tribes living in the state. Additionally, ‘Arakkha’ means ‘guardian’ or ‘one who protects’ in the Pali language.
Following Operation 1027, the AA took control of large areas in Paletwa Township of Chin State and northern Rakhine State and began to operate administrative mechanisms. The Chin National Front (CNF) and the Chinland Council, jointly formed by members elected to the 2020 parliament, have announced their stance against the ULA/AA’s attempts to establish administrative mechanisms and military operations in Paletwa Township. Moreover, after taking control of townships in southern Rakhine State, AA penetrated and operated in Bago, Ayeyarwady, and Magway Regions in coordination with local resistance forces.
Mission and Objectives
The mission and objectives of the ULA/AA are to strive for the liberation of the Rakhine people, achieve national equality, promote self-determination and self-governance, ensure the Rakhine people’s rights to natural resources, to regain control over their self-determination which has been lost, and to restore the rights of the Rakhine internal displaced persons (IDPs) and national losses.
Leaders and Central Committee Members
| No. | Name | Position |
| 1 | Maj. Gen. Twan Mrat Naing | ULA ChairpersonAA Commander-in-Chief |
| 2 | Brig. Gen. Dr. Nyo Twan Awng | ULA General SecretaryAA Deputy Commander-in-Chief |
| 3 | Col. Kyaw Han | Secretary-1 |
| 4 | Khaing Thu Kha | ULA/AA Spokesperson |
ULA Organizational Structure
| 1 | Chairperson |
| 2 | General Secretary |
| 3 | Secretary-1 |
| 4 | Secretary-2 |
| 5 | Secretary-3 |
| 6 | Special Advisory Group |
| 7 | International Relations |
| 8 | Alliance Relations |
| 9 | Judicial Committee |
| 10 | Organization and Public Relations |
| 11 | Literary Affairs |
| 12 | History and Culture |
| 13 | Women’s Affairs |
| 14 | Employment Opportunities Exploration Committee |
| 15 | Regional Development and Labor Affairs |
| 16 | Other sectors |
Ceasefires and Peace Process
There is no formal ceasefire agreement in place.
Clashes between the Myanmar Military and the AA began in December 2018 and continued intensively until 2019. In November 2019, a ceasefire was implemented due to negotiation efforts by Nippon Foundation Chairperson Mr. Sasakawa. However, no agreement was signed.
Although discussions were held to sign a preliminary bilateral ceasefire agreement, discussions have not resumed following the military coup.
During the first week of February 2022, there was a shooting in Maungdaw Township. However, on 12 February, two political representatives attended the 75th Union Day ceremony held by the SAC in Naypyitaw.
Tensions have intensified since July, with clashes occurring along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in Rathedaung Township, Maungdaw Township, and Paletwa Township. The SAC blocked transportation of food and humanitarian aid.
On November 26, 2022, the SAC and AA agreed to a humanitarian pause in hostilities. Mr. Sasakawa, Japan’s Special Representative for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, mediated the agreement.
Organization Participation
The ULA is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC). The AA is one of the four Northern Alliance members and also a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Political and Military Positions since the Coup
Immediately following the military coup, the ULA/AA maintained calm and refrained from resuming armed clashes with the military. Instead, they continued to expand their administrative and judicial mechanisms in Rakhine State.
AA leaders have held firm to their policy of not allowing the Rakhine people to be led by Burmese politicians in their political activities. They have worked towards expanding local administration, the judiciary, and other sectors, and have continued revolutionary acts by the “Way of Rakhita.”
In a message sent by Maj. Gen. Twan Mrat Naing, to mark the 12th anniversary of the Arakan Army Day, Rakhine people were encouraged to maintain their Rakhine national objectives by not engaging in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) or street protests in defiance of SAC authority.
Although the ULA/AA has not officially declared its alliance with the National Unity Government (NUG), it has been providing support in military training to People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) formed under the NUG’s Ministry of Defense and student armed groups who have left Lower Myanmar and formed armed resistance groups.
On January 5, 2022, senior NUG leaders and AA Commander-in-Chief Major Gen. Twan Mrat Naing held an online meeting, but neither side issued any statements.
On October 27, 2023, the 3BHA (AA, MNDAA, and TNLA) launched Operation 1027. In the second week of January 2024, a ceasefire was declared in northern Shan State under the Haigeng Agreement, but clashes have continued in Rakhine State and Paletwa, Chin State.
Liaison Offices
None
Brigades
There are no official statements on brigade numbers or structure. In Rakhine State, there are military regions called Alpha, Nova, and Beta, but the exact boundary delimitation is unknown.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.arakanarmy.net
Email: arakanarmy@protonmail.com, ulahq.office@protonmail.com
