Seventeen revolutionary groups honour Arakan Army’s 17th anniversary as offensive nears final stage

Mizzima

In a significant show of anti-junta solidarity, 17 revolutionary organizations including the Three Brotherhood Alliance partners, the MNDAA and TNLA have issued formal congratulatory messages to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the founding of the Arakan Army (AA) on 10 April, 2026.

Founded on 10 April, 2009, in Laiza, Kachin State, with a group of just 26 young recruits, the AA has transformed into one of the most powerful ethnic armed organizations in Myanmar.

The anniversary messages from groups such as the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay), and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) paid tribute to the fallen comrades who sacrificed their lives for the “Arakan Dream” and expressed gratitude to the AA for providing technical assistance and weaponry to other resistance units across the country.

They also expressed profound gratitude to the AA for its wide-ranging support to various revolutionary groups, including the provision of technical assistance and weaponry during the course of the struggle.

The organizations also expressed their hopes that the Arakan Army will continue to stand firmly as a force trusted by the people of Arakan, successfully dismantle the military dictatorship, and realize the “Arakan Dream” in the near future.

Among those that sent congratulatory messages on the AA’s founding anniversary today were the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance namely the MNDAA and TNLA as well as the Burma People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay) Special Operation Force, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Other groups that sent congratulatory messages include the People’s Revolution Alliance (PRA–Magway), Asho Chin Defence Force (ACDF), Chin People’s Union/Chin People’s Army, All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF)/Student Armed Force, Ayeyarwady People’s Defense Force, Chin Brotherhood, 96 Soldiers PDF, Mara Territory Administrative Council, People’s Liberation Front (PLF), and Yaw Defense Force (YDF).

At present, the Arakan Army (AA) is actively engaged in fighting across three fronts: in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State, and at the Nat Yekan (Nat Yay Kan) strategic base in Ngape Township, Magway Region.

So far, the AA has captured and established control over 15 towns, including Paletwa in Chin State.