THE | DIPLOMAT
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
September 06, 2024
“We are always in favor of repatriation [of Rohingya Muslims] in principle, and there should be voluntary, dignified, and safe repatriation under conducive conditions.”
The Arakan Army (AA) has emerged as one of the most successful ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in Myanmar in the war against the military junta’s State Administration Council (SAC). With meticulous planning and alliances with other similar groups across the country, the AA has registered massive success in its operations against the military, which began intensifying on November 13 of last year. Currently, it has established control over 11 out of 18 townships spread across southern Chin State and Rakhine State in Myanmar. A fierce battle is currently on in Maungdaw and other regions, where allegations have surfaced of the AA committing atrocities against the Rohingya, a largely Muslim ethnic group.