AA denies reports of troops surrendering to junta forces

Narinjara, 28 March 2026

Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha categorically denied media reports that AA troops had surrendered to the military junta and termed it as false propaganda.

“There is no such thing happening. This is just the psychological warfare carried out by the military juntato mislead both the public and the international community,” asserted Khaing Thukha, while talking to Narinjara News.

A 27 March report by the junta-controlled media outlets claimed that 10 AA fighters and 8 People’s Defense Forces members surrendered in the Ayeyarwady division along with arms and ammunition.

Similarly, on 19 March, it was reported that over 500 PDF soldiers and several AA fighters surrendered in the Mandalay region. Khaing Thukha labeled the news as baseless.

“The junta has been trying to gain legitimacy by disguising itself in civilian clothes. Rather than seeking an honest solution, they are conducting psychological warfare,” he stated.

These dishonest actions reflect the basic mentality of the junta’s proposed transitional government, he asserted, adding that it’s a half-frog and half-fish administration.

The junta released several media reports with motivated facts.

On 20 March, the junta forces claimed 21 PDF members and one AA member surrendered at the southern military command in Taungoo, while on 19 March, 506 personnel including AA fighters surrendered with weapons.

On 26 March, the southwestern military command in Pathein locality reported that 10 AA members from various Rakhine townships including Thandwe, Gwa, Ponna Kyunt , Rambree, Myebon, and Mrauk-U surrendered who were accompanied by eight PDF members.

A military source close to the AA pointed out a major flaw in the junta's narrative that every AA unit uses a specific numbering system and the junta failed to disclose those names, faces, or personal identification numbers of the defectors, which proves the reports were fabricated.