The Chin Brotherhood (CB) Alliance met with leaders of the Arakan Army (AA) and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), including AA commander-in-chief Major General Twan Mrat Naing, to discuss the possibility of expanding their cooperation beyond military ties to include political and economic alliances, according to CB Alliance spokesperson Salai Yaw Mang.
In October, CB Alliance leaders traveled to Arakan (Rakhine) State and held extensive meetings with ULA/AA leaders, including Major General Twan Mrat Naing, Salai Yaw Mang said during a CB Alliance fundraising event on November 8.
“The talks took place last month. Our main agenda was to discuss how we can continue our military cooperation in the revolution and support each other. We also talked about possible counter-offensive tactics the junta might use. In addition, we discussed ways to strengthen cooperation, not only militarily but also politically and economically, and how the two ethnic groups can continue to help one another,” he said.
Although Arakan and Chin states share a geographic border, successive Myanmar military regimes have deliberately limited direct contact between them. Now, efforts are underway to promote economic and trade cooperation between the two states, Salai Yaw Mang said.
During their visit to Arakan State, CB Alliance leaders expressed strong interest in learning how they could support the ULA/AA, and the hospitality extended by the ULA/AA was exceptional, making the trip feel almost like a state visit, he added.
He also noted that the CB Alliance had the opportunity to study the AA’s systematic military structure and the ULA’s political organization.
The CB Alliance also held strategic discussions with the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) at the KIO headquarters in July.
The CB Alliance is made up of the Chin National Council – Mindat, Chinland Defence Force – Mindat, Chin National Organization/Chin National Defence Force, Zomi Federal Union, People’s Defence Force – Zoland, Chinland Defence Force – Kanpetlet, Matupi Revolutionary Organisation, and the Maraland Defence Force.