Photos have emerged showing Arakan Army (AA) Commander-in-Chief General Tun Myat Naing meeting with local residents in Rakhine State, though AA officials have not officially confirmed these developments. The images, which surfaced on August 23, show General Tun Myat Naing directly engaging with Rakhine civilians in a rural area. The photos depict him accompanied by fully armed security personnel, and local sources confirm that the background setting clearly indicates the location is within Rakhine State.
A Rakhine regional source confirmed that based on the village setting and the appearance of the civilians in the photographs, they were definitely taken in Rakhine State. However, for security reasons, they declined to specify the exact location, while affirming that the AA Chief has indeed reached Rakhine territory. When contacted about these photographs, AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha provided no comment or response regarding the matter.
A revolutionary source based in Kachin State explained that ethnic armed organizations now control the entire territory from Laiza in Kachin State to Rakhine State. While travel along this route may be time-consuming, it is now secure. The source detailed that a corridor exists from Kachin State through Chin State, then via Paletwa into Rakhine State, with ethnic armed forces having complete control of these areas. Apart from aerial attacks, the ground situation is fully controlled by ethnic revolutionary forces, making it entirely possible for AA Chief General Tun Myat Naing to move freely in these territories. The source emphasized that the revolutionary-controlled territory has expanded to the point where round trips are possible, confirming the feasibility of the AA Chief’s presence in Rakhine territory.
