Biography
Mr. Tun Myat Naing was born on 7 November 1978 in Sittwe, the state capital of Rakhine
State. He left for jade mining in Kachin State, recruiting disaffected Arakanese Buddhists to
his insurgent group. He was one of twenty-six men to form the Arakan Army with a support
from the Kachin Independence Army. In 2018, the clashes between Arakan Army and
Burmese military intensified in Northern Rakhine State.
Career
General Tun Myat Naing is the current commander of the Arakan Army. In 1998, he planned
to join National Unity Party of Arakan but their general was killed in action. In 2004, he
collaborated with Nyo Twan Awng (also known as Zaw Myo Thet), a surgeon who is
now Vice Commander in-Chief of Arakan Army. In 2009, they founded the Arakan Army.
Naing has also worked as a tourist guide in Yangon. That’s why he is able to speak fluent
English. He is an expert in militarism, philosophy, politics, geography, and history.
Arrests by Myanmar government
On 10 July 2019, Aung Mrat Kyaw, Twan Mrat Naing’s younger brother, along with five
Arakanese were detained by the Singaporean government and deported to Myanmar,
where they were arrested shortly after arriving. Singapore’s home ministry said they had
organized and mobilized some members of the Myanmar community in Singapore to
support the Arakan Army, and its political wing, the United League of Arakan.
On 18 October 2019, the younger sister of Twan Mrat Naing, Moe Hnin Phyu and her
husband, Kyaw Naing, were arrested at the Yangon International Airport after they
returned from Chiang Mai, Thailand. They were accused of having the connection with the
seizure of explosive devices in Mandalay according to Zaw Htay, Spokesperson of the State
Counsellor’s Office.
On 18 October 2019, the younger sister of Twan Mrat Naing, Moe Hnin Phyu and her
husband, Kyaw Naing, were arrested at the Yangon International Airport after they
returned from Chiang Mai, Thailand. They were accused of having the connection with the
seizure of explosive devices in Mandalay according to Zaw Htay, Spokesperson of the State
Counsellor’s Office.
On 6 December 2019, Twan Mrat Naing’s wife – Hnin Zar Phyu and her two children were
detained by Thai immigration officials in Chiang Mai, when she went there to extend her
visa. Thailand Immigration Bureau’s Chiang Mai office arrested her due to the presence of
her name on the list who has affiliation with the Arakan Army, provided by the Myanmar
Government. On 25 February 2020, the detained family left for Switzerland under the
political asylum initiated by the UNHCR.
On 9th June 2021, Aung Myat Kyaw, Moe Hnin Phyu and her husband were released from
prison after all charges against them were dropped. The release happened after the
Tatmadaw took power by a coup d’état.
Key Points Regarding Tun Myat Naing’s Views on the NUG and the
Revolution
Support for the Revolution:
Tun Myat Naing has expressed support for the broader revolution against the military junta.
The Arakan Army has aligned itself with anti-junta forces, joining the larger struggle that
includes both armed ethnic groups and civilian protest movements. While the AA’s primary
goal is the self-determination of the Rakhine people, the group has shown solidarity with the
NUG and other ethnic groups in their fight against the military.
Cautious Engagement with the NUG:
Despite expressing support for the revolution, Tun Myat Naing has maintained a cautious
stance toward the National Unity Government (NUG). He has made it clear that the Arakan
Army does not blindly align with any particular group but rather prioritizes the interests of
the Rakhine people and ethnic autonomy.
Tun Myat Naing has emphasized that the AA’s involvement in the anti-junta revolution will
be contingent on achieving the rights and autonomy of the Rakhine ethnic group. This
means that the AA would support any revolutionary efforts that align with the Rakhine people’s
aspirations.
Key Points Tun Myat Naing Made About the Burmese Revolution
Support for the Overthrow of the Military:
Tun Myat Naing has shown support for the revolution against Myanmar’s military
junta, particularly after the February 2021 coup that ousted the democratically
elected government. The Arakan Army has actively fought alongside other ethnic
armed groups and civilian revolutionaries in the broader resistance to military rule.
He has indicated that the Burmese people—including various ethnic groups—have
the right to rise up against a military regime that has undermined democracy and
oppressed the population.
Solidarity with Other Ethnic Armed Groups:
Tun Myat Naing has reiterated the importance of ethnic unity in the fight against the
junta. He has supported cooperation between the Arakan Army and other ethnic armed
organizations, such as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Karen National Liberation
Army (KNLA), and others that have taken up arms against the military. This collective
effort is seen as essential to overthrowing the junta and restoring democracy.
Ethnic Rights and Autonomy:
While the AA supports the overthrow of the military regime, Tun Myat Naing has also
emphasized that the struggle is not just about removing the military but also about
securing greater ethnic autonomy. He has made it clear that the Rakhine people and other
ethnic groups should be given more power over their own regions, rather than having the
central government (which the military controls) dictate policies for ethnic minorities. Tun
Myat Naing’s stance is that ethnic self-determination and autonomy should be integral
components of any post-junta political settlement.
A Vision for Federalism:
Tun Myat Naing has aligned himself with the broader vision of a federal Myanmar that would
grant ethnic groups more autonomy within a democratic system. This is a key demand of the
National Unity Government (NUG), which the Arakan Army has supported, even as it
maintains its independent stance on the specific governance of Rakhine State. The Arakan
Army’s participation in the revolution against the junta is partly rooted in the desire to
achieve this vision of a more federal and democratic Myanmar, where ethnic groups have
more political power and control over their own affairs.
Summary:
Tun Myat Naing has voiced strong support for the Burmese revolution against the military
junta but with an emphasis on ensuring that ethnic self-determination and autonomy are
central to the post-junta future. His position reflects both his solidarity with anti-junta forces
and his commitment to the rights of the Rakhine people, advocating for a federal Myanmar
where ethnic groups have greater control over their own affairs.
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