The Arakan Army (AA) has been consistently offering military support to numerous resistance groups that have arisen following the coup, providing specialized training in sniper shooting and combat tactics.
The Student Armed Force (SAF) announced that the graduation ceremony for new members who underwent special combat course training by AA took place on August 28th, with AA officers in attendance delivering speeches.
On August 27th, 2021, in the aftermath of the coup, the SAF was established by 22 members of the Yangon-based University Students' Union. Subsequently, SAF underwent basic military training in liberated areas under the control of AA and has since engaged in a determined resistance against the Military Council troops in Magway and Sagaing regions.
In addition, the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA), led by Maung Saungkha, a poet turned revolutionary fighter, is also receiving support from AA in the form of sniper shooting training, with the first graduation ceremony taking place on July 24th.
“For the first time in Myanmar's history, pro-federal democratic revolutionary forces have united in an unprecedented way. This unity is a cause for celebration because it signifies a pivotal moment. AA is diligently training Bamar comrades alongside other ethnic revolutionary cadets, while the Chin revolutionary forces extend their support through training as well. Consequently, all the resistance forces preparing to participate in the Spring Revolution are being nurtured through a collective and unified effort”, said U Than Soe Naing, a renowned political analyst.
On the other hand, Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has issued threats of taking decisive action against the National Unity Government (NUG), People's Defense Force (PDF), and armed groups that support the resistance movement. Despite the Military Council head's threat, the AA and other ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) supporting the resistance forces have remained steadfast.
During the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force's (KNDF) 2-year anniversary event held on May 30th, it was announced that the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the AA, have provided arms and ammunition to KNDF, as well as other forms of military assistance.
Likewise, on April 24th, AA confirmed its commitment to treating the Chin Defense Force - Mindat (CDF-Mindat), a Chin resistance organization, as a valued neighbor and partner, and will continue to provide military training and weapons support.
In addition, AA is extending its support to other groups as well. They are providing arms and military assistance to the Maraland Defense Force (MDF) in Chin State, the People's Revolution Alliance - Magway (PRA-Magway) from the mainland, and the Dictatorship Revolution People's Army (DRPA).
"AA's provision of military training to the revolutionary forces can be seen as a way of establishing alliance relationships and encouraging them to fight against a common enemy”, U Pe Than, a veteran Rakhine politician told DMG.
"It's possible that the support given to these groups is not only coming from AA, but from the entire Three Brotherhood Alliance. However, what's crucial is the idea that this aid is helping them to fight a common enemy together”, U Pe Than added.
Following the coup, the Military Council violently suppressed peacefully protesting young people on the streets. As a result, many of them sought refuge in the liberated areas controlled by EAOs, where they received military training. Eventually, these young people fought back against the coup Junta in different parts of Myanmar.
Photo caption - The Student Armed Force (SAF)’s special combat course graduation ceremony held on August 28th
