[57] Although the AA was initially trained by the KIA, it later aligned itself more with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) through the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee.

[58][59] In 2020, India accused China of assisting rebel groups, including the UWSA and AA, by supplying weapons and providing hideouts within Indian territory.

[71] In December 2015, the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army engaged in several days of fighting around 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Sittwe at the border between Kyauktaw and Mrauk U townships.

[30][76] On 4 January 2019, around 300 members of the Arakan Army launched pre-dawn attacks on four border police outposts—Kyaung Taung, Nga Myin Taw, Ka Htee La and Kone Myint—in northern Buthidaung Township.

[31] Thirteen members of the Border Guard Police (BGP) were killed and nine others were injured,[77][78][79] whilst 40 firearms and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition were taken by the Arakan Army.

Clashes were reported in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung and Ponnagyun Townships, located in the northern and central parts of Rakhine State.

The Rakhine State government issued a notice blocking non-governmental organisations and UN agencies, except for the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Food Programme, from travelling to rural areas in these townships affected by the conflict.

The fighting prompted 5,000 civilians to flee from their homes and to take shelter in monasteries and communal areas across the region, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

[32] Civilian casualties,[83] arbitrary detention of ethnic Rakhine villagers,[84] and military blockage of food aid and medical relief were also reported.

At the time of the ceasefire, Myanmar's control had been severely eroded in central and northern Rakhine State, leaving a vacuum that the Arakan Army would fill out of the next 18 months.

[98] Nevertheless, on 30 March, the AA threatened to end the ceasefire with the Tatmadaw should the SAC refuse to order a halt to the massacre of civilians protesting the coup.

By late August, travel to northern Rakhine required notifying series of checkpoints and all public transport ships ceased operating.

On the morning of 13 November 2023, as part of Operation 1027, the Arakan Army attacked two Border Guard Police stations in Rathedaung Township, breaking the Rakhine state ceasefire agreement between the junta and AA.

On 22 April, intense clashes broke out around the Tha Htay hydropower plant in norther Thandwe Township, reportedly leading to the deaths of "dozens" of junta soldiers.

[131] In response to the fighting in Maungdaw, the Bangladesh Navy deployed warships around St. Martin's Island, which has been shot at several times by junta forces.

[139] By 26 June, fighting had spread to Ngapali Beach, and the AA began launching attacks on the last 2 junta bases in Thandwe town.

The junta's blockade has disrupted essential supplies, and experts suggest that Bangladesh must engage with the AA to help resolve the complex Rohingya issue.

[144] Arakan Army and the joint PDF forces pushed into Shwethaungyan Subtownship, northwest Ayeyarwaddy Region taking the village of Magyizin.

Arakan army has been accused of forcibly recruiting Rohingya people into its organisational structure and claiming to create an inclusive, federalist government to counter the Tatmadaw in Rakhine.

While the AA denied regime claims that they were targeting them for recruitment, Khine Thu Kha encouraged anyone to volunteer if they wished, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

[148] Between March and August 2024, Nay San Lwin reported to The New Humanitarian that at least 2,500 Rohingya were killed, and approximately 40,000 were forced to flee the country by the Arakan Army.

[149][150] On 29 August 2024, CNN reported that based on eyewitness accounts, there were Rohingya refugees who experienced persecution from the Arakan Army in recent months during the group's continuous attempt to capture towns in Rakhine State from the Myanmar military, though their claims have yet to be independently verified.

[151] Analyst David Scott Mathieson has pointed out that there is confusion among international observers due to conflicting accounts of incidents and atrocities that occurred in Rakhine State, which is exacerbated by the SAC's recruitment of Rohingya men into its military.

"[153] Arakan Army (AA) has been accused of war crimes against Rohingya civilians, including mass killings, indiscriminate drone and mortar attacks, and forced displacement.

[155] The attacks were marked by the intentional targeting of civilians using drones and heavy artillery, leaving scores of dead bodies and countless injuries, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

[157] In a 2021 interview with Prothom Alo, army chief Twan Mrat Naing said the organization wanted to have good relations with Bangladesh and work with them on the Rohingya issue.

[161] In March 2024, an Indian delegation, including Member of Parliament K. Vanlalvena, met with AA representatives in Myanmar's Chin State, indicating a warming of relations.

[165] On 6 December, Twan Mrat Naing's wife Hnin Zar Phyu and their two children were detained by Thai immigration officials in Chiang Mai.

[167][168] On 23 June 2020, Thai authorities raided a house in the border town of Mae Sot (close to Kayin State), seizing a large stash of newly manufactured weapons originating from China.

Local insurgents on the Burmese side of the border told The Irrawaddy that the weapons were likely being smuggled for the Arakan Army because "they pay good prices".