⏵ Endless Brutalities: The Arakan Army and its Atrocities Maung Maung Tin (Name Changed) remembers that since November 2023, the security situation in Arakan has worsened significantly. This is because both the AA and the Myanmar military junta are involved in committing violence against the Rohingya community. Testimonies like his and from many other survivors of the violence suggest that the armed ethnic group is continuing its efforts to establish full control over the remaining parts of the two districts of the Rakhine State that is Sittwe and the Kyaukpaw. As we know, the AA completely seized the Ann-based Western Command around the last half of December 2024, gaining control over Ann Town, which is a district-level town. With Ann’s capture, the AA has gained control of six districts and 14 townships. The districts under occupation consist of Paletwa in Chin State, as well as Maungdaw, Mrauk-U, Ann, Taungup, and Thandwe in Arakan State. Included in the 14 townships under the AA’s administration are Paletwa, Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Ann, Ramree, Taungup, and Thandwe. In Arakan State, the towns of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung remain among the last major areas not yet under AA control. While most rural regions including Ramree town in Kyaukphyu District, are already under AA dominance, the ethnic armed group launched renewed attacks on junta outposts in the surrounding areas of Kyaukphyu in June 2025 27