In 2004, the Arakan National Council (ANC) was established in New Dehli, India with Rakhine forces. All Arakan Students and Youths' Congress - AASYC, National United Front of Arakan - NUFA, and Arakan Liberation Army - ALA were included in that force.

The council was founded on five objectives and five political guidelines. The five objectives are (1) All Rakhine people have the right to create their own destiny; (2) the Preservation of national identity and cultural heritage from being lost; (3) Promotion of national dignity and interests; (4) Liberation of all ethnic groups and all citizens in Myanmar from dictatorship; and (5) Peace and development of the entire human race.

The five political guidelines are (1) Unity of the entire Rakhine people; (2) Ending the military dictatorship; (3) Building a genuine federal union with national equality and full self-determination of each state in terms of political status; (4) Peaceful coexistence; and (5) Building a strong and united Rakhine State.

The ANC/AA was a member of the Arakan National Policy Coordination Committee (ANPCC) and participated in peace processes through the United Ethnic Federal Council (UNFC) from 2012 to 2018, and was trying to participate in signing the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). However, since 2018, it has not been participating in peace talks since it was excluded from signing the NCA due to discrimination by the government and the military, claiming that it is a small group with weapons and manpower.

The ANC/AA has its headquarters in the Brigade (5) area, Hpa-pun district of the Karen National Union (KNU) controlled area, and has an estimated strength of 100 or more.

In opposition to the military coup in 2021, they have been fighting in occupying SAC military camps in cooperation with KNLA troops under the KNU. In addition, they also carried out military operations in collaboration with the People's Defense Force (PDF) under the National Unity Government (NUG).

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