AA Working to Maintain Supply of Goods in Rakhine
Arakha Times (14- November-2024)
Local residents in Rakhine told the Arakha Times that the Arakan Army (AA) is working to prevent shortages of goods in the marketplace.
A resident from Mrauk-U told the Arakha Times that while all land routes have been closed for nearly a year due to the fighting in Rakhine State, the Arakan Army is managing to maintain supplies through their own methods. Although there are no complete shortages, prices of goods have increased significantly.
He said, “ Rather than just saying they’re distributing goods, it’s more like an economic monopoly. They’re trying in various ways to maintain market access. Since ULA/AA is controlling the ground situation, they have a responsibility and accountability to the people. From my perspective, they’re executing their urban offensive operations with proper planning. There could be blockades, but they already have ways to overcome these blockades. There will be challenges, and goods prices will increase somewhat, but there won’t be a complete disruption of supplies. The governing bodies have made arrangements in one way or another for the welfare and convenience of the people. They have their own methods of managing this situation.”
Currently in Rakhine State, prices of basic food items and fuel have risen dramatically. It’s reported that a bottle of purified water is selling for 10,000 kyats, and a packet of oral rehydration salts costs 3,000 kyats.
Moreover, due to the intense fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council forces in Ann, Taungup, and Gwa townships, the price of rice has reportedly reached up to 300,000 kyats per bag.
A local resident told the Arakha Times that although the intense fighting has led to job scarcity in Rakhine State, the Rakhine people are prepared for the urban offensive operations.
He said, “ In Rakhine State, there are hardly any areas where AA aren’t present. In Kyaukphyu, only a small urban area remains under military control. In Gwa, just a tiny portion of the town remains. As for Ann, the urban offensive is likely to be completed soon. Most people on the ground are managing well, except for the high commodity prices and job scarcity issues. But these challenges are inevitable during times of conflict. The Rakhine people are prepared for this. Rather than complaining about the situation, this isn’t just ULA/AA’s revolution alone – it’s the revolution of all people. Therefore, the people’s hardships are also the revolution’s hardships. So we face these challenges together.”
Since November 13, 2023, when fighting broke out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council forces in Rakhine State, all supply routes into Rakhine State have remained blocked by the military council up until today.