Rakhine State

Rakhine State, formerly known as Arakan State, is a state in Myanmar (Burma) located on the western coast. It is bordered by Chin State to the north, Magway Region, Bago Region, and Ayeyarwady Region to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. The Arakan Mountains, also called the Rakhine Yoma, run north to south and separate Rakhine State from central Myanmar. The state's capital is Sittwe, which was formerly known as Akyab.

Rakhine State covers an area of 36,762 square kilometres and includes large islands such as Ramree, Cheduba, and Myingun off its coast. As of November 2025, the Arakan Army, the armed wing of the ethnic Rakhine people, controls about 90 percent of the state, including 14 of its 17 townships.

Etymology

See also: Rakhine people § Ethnonyms

This area is named after the Rakhine people, who are the largest group living there. In the past, people called the place Arakan in English. But in 1989, the government of Myanmar started using the name Rakhine instead.

The area became an official state in Myanmar in 1974. Every year on December 15, people celebrate Rakhine State Day.

History

Main articles: Arakan and History of Rakhine

The history of Rakhine State, once called Arakan, is divided into several parts based on where the main power centers were, especially along the Kaladan River in the north. The history includes periods known as Dhanyawadi, Waithali, Laymro, and Mrauk U. Mrauk U was taken over by the Konbaung dynasty of Burma in 1784–85, making Rakhine part of Burma. In 1824, the first Anglo-Burmese war began, and by 1826, Rakhine was given to the British East India Company as part of the war reparations. This made Rakhine part of British India. In 1948, Burma gained independence, and Rakhine became part of the new country.

Independent kingdom

Starting in the 400s, Pyu and Kanyan people from Tibeto-Burman groups moved west across the Arakan Mountains and settled in what is now Rakhine State. By the 1100s, they controlled the area and became a tributary state of the Pagan Empire until the 13th century. Over time, they mixed with Indo-Aryans and developed a unique culture, becoming the Rakhine people, also known as Arakanese.

Legends say the first kingdom was founded by the Sakya clan of Buddha, centered around Dhanyawadi, and began in 3400 BCE, lasting until 327 CE. Rakhine records say the famous Mahamuni Buddha image was made in Dhanyawadi around 554 BCE when Buddha visited. After Dhanyawadi fell in the 4th century CE, power moved to Waithali. The Waithali kingdom ruled from the mid-4th century to 818 CE and is known for its culture, architecture, and Buddhism. After Waithali, a new dynasty emerged along the Lemyo River, with four towns serving as capitals.

The Kingdom of Mrauk U, founded in 1429 by Min Saw Mon, was the last independent Arakanese kingdom. It is considered the golden age of Rakhine history because Mrauk U was an important port and trading center in the Bay of Bengal. The kingdom conquered Chittagong with help from the Portuguese. However, it began to decline in the 18th century after losing Chittagong to the Mughal Empire. Internal problems, rebellions, and changes in leadership were common. The Portuguese also had a temporary base in Arakan during their time of power in Asia.

Burmese annexation

In 1784, Rakhine leaders asked Bodawpaya, king of the Konbaung dynasty, for help with internal disputes. Bodawpaya saw this as a chance to expand and sent his son, Thado Minsaw, to lead a big military attack into Arakan. The attack started on December 2, 1784, and by January 2, 1785, the Kingdom of Mrauk U fell. Maha Thammada Raza, the last king of Mrauk U, was captured along with his family and taken to Amarapura.

One of the most important items taken was the sacred Mahamuni Buddha Image, which was moved to Amarapura and later placed in Mandalay. The Burmese also took many cultural and religious items, including gold, silver, bronze statues, weapons, and sacred books.

Though the Rakhine people thought the Burmese would bring peace, they realized it was an annexation. Uprisings happened, and many rebels fled to British-controlled Bengal. When Burmese forces followed, it caused more tension between Burma and the British East India Company, leading to future conflicts.

With Arakan’s annexation, Burma now bordered British India directly. This tension finally led to the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826). During this war, British forces took Arakan and parts of Lower Burma.

In a symbolic reversal, the Presidency armies took the great bell from the Mahamuni shrine as a prize of war. It was given to Bhim Singh, a leader in the 2nd Battalion of the Bengal Army, for his bravery. The bell is still kept in a temple in Nadrai, near Kasganj, in present-day Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh, India.

The war ended with the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, where Burma gave up Arakan and Tenasserim to the British. Akyab (now Sittwe) became the main city of Arakan. Later, Arakan was made part of the province of Burma under the British Raj and then British Burma after it became a separate Crown colony. Arakan was divided into three districts based on the old Mrauk U period divisions.

British rule

Main article: Arakan Division

Rakhine was the center of many groups fighting against British rule, led by monks like U Ottama and U Seinda. During World War II, Rakhine was given some self-rule under Japanese control and had its own army called the Arakan Defense Force. This force later joined the allies and fought against the Japanese in early 1945. Rakhine was the site of many battles during the war, including the Arakan Campaign of 1942–43 and the Battle of Ramree Island.

Burmese independence

In 1948, Rakhine became a division in the Union of Burma, and the three districts were called Arakan Division. From the 1950s, there was a growing desire for independence and to restore Arakan.

2010 onwards (after 2008 constitution)

Since 2010, Rakhine State has had two main leaders: Hla Maung Tin and Major General Maung Maung Ohn. Hla Maung Tin served from January 2011 to June 2014 and stepped down after serious conflicts between different groups in 2012–14. He was replaced by Major General Maung Maung Ohn in June 2014. Ohn was previously a deputy minister and head of the Rakhine State Emergency Coordination Center before becoming a leader in the Rakhine State parliament.

In June 2012, Rakhine State saw serious fights between different groups, leading to many deaths, homes destroyed, and people forced to leave.

Resurgence of armed conflict (2016–present)

Main article: Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present)

As of December 2024, the State Administration Council controls only Sittwe Township, Kyaukpyu Township, and Munaung Township. The rest of Rakhine State is either controlled by the Arakan Army or heavily fought over.

Political repression by the Myanmar government

See also: Rohingya genocide

The NLD government did not share power with the Arakan National Party after they won most votes in Rakhine State in the 2015 elections. Leaders from Arakan often said their ideas were ignored or turned down in the state parliament.

In 2017, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the Tatmadaw refused to have talks about politics in Rakhine State, which was required by the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. This would have let local groups share their ideas in big public meetings, with the results talked about at the Union Peace Conference, also called the 21st Century Panglong. In February 2017, the Arakan Liberation Party asked to have these talks in Rakhine State, but Aung San Suu Kyi said they were not ready. Even after three formal requests, the government did not answer. At a meeting, Suu Kyi again said no, saying the situation with certain people in Rakhine State was too sensitive.

On January 16, 2018, people in Mrauk U were protesting after officials stopped a memorial for the 233rd anniversary of the fall of the Mrauk U Kingdom. Police used force, hurting seven people and arresting two speakers, Aye Maung and Wai Hun Aung, along with eight young people.

On October 16, 2020, the Union Election Commission said they would not hold the 2020 Myanmar general election in several areas of Rakhine State because of ongoing fighting and trouble. These areas included Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maung Daw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myebon, and Mrauk U, as well as parts of Kyaukphyu, Ann, Sittwe, and Toungup Townships. The commission said free and fair elections could not happen because of the conflict.

2020–present

Main articles: Rakhine offensive (2023–present) and Operation 1027

In November 2020, the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army agreed to a temporary stop to fighting in Rakhine State. But after the military takeover in February 2021, fighting started again.

After the military coup in February 2021, Rakhine State saw more armed fights, especially between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army. By September 2021, the AA and its political group, the United League of Arakan, had taken control of about 75% of Rakhine’s townships.

In early 2024, battles for the town of Maungdaw caused many civilian injuries and people being forced to leave their homes. Reports say that during this time, civilians, including certain groups, were hurt, homes were burned, and shells were used. On August 5, 2024, an attack in Maungdaw targeted people trying to escape by boat, causing many deaths.

On October 27, 2023, Operation 1027 began with the Three Brotherhood Alliance, including the Arakan Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. This operation led to the capture of over 130 military bases in northern Shan State, including the important town of Laukkai. Reports said many soldiers were hurt or captured.

By February 2025, a report said the Arakan Army had started setting up local governments in the parts of Rakhine State they control. But not much is known about how these governments work or if they include all groups. It is still unclear if the AA will stop fighting after taking land, as they are also fighting in Paletwa, Magway, and other areas. The group’s plans for Myanmar’s future are also uncertain. Before, they wanted autonomy under the 2008 constitution like the United Wa State Army, but now they might want full statehood or independence.

Demographics

Rakhine State has many different kinds of people. Official numbers say that about 3 million people live there.

Ethnic makeup

The Rakhine people are the largest group. There are also many Rohingya people, but they are not officially counted by the government. Smaller groups such as the Thet, Kamein, Chin, Mro, Daingnet, Khami, Bengali Hindu and Maramagri live mostly in the hilly parts of the state.

Religion

Most people in Rakhine State practice Theravada Buddhists beliefs. Some people follow other religions as well. Many Rohingya people near the border with Bangladesh and in coastal areas practice Islam.

Administrative divisions

Rakhine State has seven districts. Here are some of them and their sizes and populations from 2002:

• Maungdaw (3,538 km²; 763,844 people)
• Sittwe (12,504 km²; 1,099,568 people)
• Mrauk-U (created from Sittwe District)
• Kyaukpyu (9,984 km²; 458,244 people)
• Ann (size and population not available)
• Taungup (size and population not available)
• Thandwe (10,753 km²; 296,736 people)

Together, these districts cover 36,778 km² and have an estimated population of 2,915,000 people. These districts include 17 townships and 1,164 village-tracts. Sittwe is the capital of Rakhine State.

Transport

There are not many roads that go through the Arakan Mountains into Rakhine State. Three main roads connect different parts of the state. People often fly from Yangon and Mandalay to Sittwe and Ngapali, a famous beach town. A road from Sittwe to the rest of the country was only built in 1996, and there are still no trains in the area.

The state has several airports, including Sittwe Airport, Kyaukpyu Airport, Thandwe Airport, Ann Airport, and Manaung Airport. A big port was built in Kyaukphyu with help from China to move goods like natural gas and crude oil.

Some rivers in Rakhine State, such as the Naf River, Kaladan River, Lemro River, and Mayu River, can also be used for travel.

Economy

Rakhine State is one of the poorest areas in Myanmar, with many people living in difficult conditions. The main activity there is farming, especially growing rice, which takes up most of the land. Other important plants include coconut and nipa palm. Fishing is also a big part of the local work, with fish sent to Yangon and some sold to other countries. The area also gets materials like timber, bamboo, and wood for fuel from its mountains. There is some crude oil from simple wells, and there might be more oil and gas that has not been found yet.

Tourism is growing, with places like the old town of Mrauk U and the beaches at Ngapali attracting visitors. However, the area still needs better roads and services. The region often has trouble getting enough electricity. Even after adding new power plants, many people still do not have reliable power. Sadly, because of less food and ongoing problems, many people are at risk of not having enough to eat.

Global interests

China

Rakhine State is home to important projects linked to China's big plans for trade routes, such as a deep-sea port and oil and gas pipelines. These help China reach the Indian Ocean more easily and avoid relying too much on the Strait of Malacca.

Myanmar helps China by acting as a friendly country between China and other nations in Southeast Asia. China works closely with Myanmar’s leaders and also talks with groups that want more control in the area.

India

India values its friendship with Myanmar as part of its plan to connect better with Southeast Asia. India has helped build important roads and transport links, like a big project connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand.

India also talks to both Myanmar’s leaders and groups near the border.

Others

The United States and European countries say they support Rakhine State if its goals match ideas about fairness and rights for everyone.

Bangladesh, which borders Rakhine State, worries about many people from Rakhine who moved there because of trouble at home. The country now homes more than one million of these people.

Education

See also: List of universities in Rakhine State

Education in Rakhine State is not as easy to find as in big cities like Yangon and Mandalay. About 85 out of every 100 people aged 15 and older can read and write, with more boys than girls able to do so.

The main university in Rakhine State is Sittwe University. Other schools include Taungup University, Technological University, Computer University, and a training school for nurses and midwives in Kyaukpyu.

Recently, in early 2026, a new university called Arakan National University opened to help young people continue their studies during the civil war.

Health care

The health care in Myanmar is not very good. The government does not spend much money on health care, and it is hard for people to get the medicine and treatment they need, even in public hospitals. Many public hospitals do not have the basic tools and equipment they should have. In fact, the whole of Rakhine State has fewer hospital beds than just one big hospital in Yangon.