At today’s press conference, Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson Khaing Thukha announced that it is unlikely they will return the captured territories and towns to the military council. Although AA is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance in the north, he explained that AA’s policy differs from the other two alliance members. While some territories in northern Shan State have been returned to the military, he stated that such a scenario is unlikely in Rakhine State.
The Arakan Army has completely captured and controls fourteen townships in Rakhine State, with only Sittwe Township, Kyaukphyu Township, and Man Aung Town remaining to be captured. Even in these three remaining townships, the AA controls most areas within the townships, with military council troops confined to urban areas. Khaing Thukha detailed that the military council, facing military defeats, continues to arrest, torture, abuse, and kill civilians in the areas under their control. He also revealed that the military council deliberately targets AA-controlled towns and villages with airstrikes, naval attacks, and artillery fire, openly committing war crimes on a daily basis.
Currently, intense fighting continues near the Danyawaddy Naval Base and Police Battalion 32 in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State. The AA has captured numerous prisoners of war, including military council officers. Khaing Thukha also mentioned that there are military council troops who have fled and surrendered, as well as those who have defected. The Arakan Army has established a roadmap to capture all of Arakan and return it to the people’s control, currently controlling over 90 percent of Rakhine State. The remaining cities of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Man Aung have not yet been captured due to various circumstances.
