A new country may soon be formed in India’s neighbourhood: 14 out of 17 areas of Rakhine are under the control of rebels, now the capital is surrounded.

The announcement of independence of Rakhine state from India’s neighboring Myanmar can be made any time. In fact, the Arakan Army has intensified the fight to separate Rakhine. The capital Sittwe has been surrounded by Arakan fighters and this battle has been described as the last major battle. If the capital Sittwe is captured by the Arakan Army, the rebel groups will declare Rakhine a separate country.

According to local newspaper The Irrawaddy, the Arakan Army has already captured 14 out of 17 areas. Now he is preparing to capture the remaining 3 areas. Arakan Army has camped around Sittwe of China. His attempt is to control Sitwe.

First understand what is the demand of Rakhine State?

In 2009, Arakan caste (Buddhists) protested demanding to give more administrative rights to Rakhine. Arakan Army was formed in the same year. Rakhine is a province located near the Bangladesh and Myanmar border. Revolt broke out here after 2016.

The people of Arakan Army first started the genocide against the Rohingya community here. In terms of population, Rohingya were a minority here.

Due to Arakan Army, Rohingya community had to flee from here. Meanwhile, the Myanmar government fell and the army took it under control.

After this, the Arakan Army intensified the rebellion here. Initially, the Arakan Army appeared to be losing to the junta army due to the airstrike, but later it strengthened its hold in the area. Now the demand of Arakan Army is to make Rakhine a separate state.

The goal of creating a separate country by 2027 under any circumstances

Arakan Army Commander-in-Chief Tun Myat Naing has declared the goal of a ‘completely liberated Arakan’ by 2027. Naing says that his army will become so strong militarily that the Myanmar army will have to leave the area.

According to local newspaper Irrawaddy, the Arakan Army has laid landmines around Sittwe to stop military tankers and logistics supplies.

Between 29 May and 1 June, there was a fierce clash between junta forces and the Arakan Army near Sittwe, in which 40 junta soldiers were killed.

Till now the Arakan Army was relatively vulnerable to air strikes by the Myanmar Army, but the fighters have acquired drones and shoulder-fired missiles in recent months.

Due to this, Myanmar’s junta army is also facing difficulties in carrying out air strikes.