Arakha Times, 7 December 2024
Political analysts predict that 2025 will be the year when the long-held Arakkha Dream is finally realised, marking a transformative moment for Rakhine State.
The coming year is expected to bring unprecedented change to Rakhine as the region becomes free of military council soldiers, ensuring that future generations will only hear about the junta in history, according to political prisoner and writer U Wai Hin Aung.
“2025 will undoubtedly be a year of immense significance for Rakhine. It is certain that the dreams of the Rakhine people, nurtured over decades, will come to fruition. In the land of Rakhine, there will be no military council soldiers. The junta will be wiped out entirely—it’s 100 percent certain,” U Wai Hun Aung told Arakha Times.
As the Arakan Army (AA) works to eliminate the military council’s presence in Rakhine, there is no need for negotiations with other forces, according to political analyst U Than Soe Naing. He emphasised that Rakhine State will likely become a military council-free zone by 2025.
“We are on the verge of seeing a military council-free state. Negotiations are unnecessary. Most of the townships are already under control. Only Gwa and Toungok remain, and Toungok is already on the verge of falling. The Arakan Army’s efforts to eradicate the military council in Rakhine are firmly on track for success,” U Than Soe Naing said.
Some military and political analysts also suggest that the Arakan Army may launch an offensive on Sittwe after its ongoing battles in Gwa and Toungok.
Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar-China affairs analyst, highlighted that the revolution against the military council, which has spanned over six decades, is now at its peak and must be sustained.
“The Arakan Army has gained significant control, especially in northern Rakhine. Only the southern areas remain. Their military campaign is advancing steadily, but consolidation is key. The revolution against military dictatorship has had its ups and downs over the past 60 years, but this time it has reached its peak,” Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw said.
Among the three remaining cities—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—Manaung may be spared due to its isolated location as an island. Meanwhile, Kyaukphyu is jointly protected by Chinese security forces and the military council, making Sittwe the most likely target for an upcoming offensive, analysts suggest.
Although Kyaukphyu itself has not been attacked, reports indicate that the Arakan Army has already occupied numerous villages in its vicinity.
