AA was founded on April 10, 2009, with 26 Rakhine youth in Laiza. The first ULA conference was held from January 10 to 16, and the Central Committee was formed with 21 members.

The ULA/AA's goals and mission are the liberation of the Rakhine people, equality, self-determination, and autonomy, Rakhine people's rights to natural resources, being able to keep the fate of the lost Arakan people in their own hands, the rights of Rakhine refugees and the restoration of national losses.

The prominent leaders are Major General Twan Mrat Naing (Chairman of ULA, Commander in Cheif of AA), Brigadier General Dr. Nyo Twan Awng (General Secretary of ULA, Vice Commender-in-Chief of AA), Colonel Kyaw Han (Secretary -1) and U Khine Thukha (Spokesperson of ULA/AA).

ULA is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNC).

In the statement of the FPNCC working meeting held in Panghkam on March 16, 2023, regarding Myanmar's internal affairs, it was mentioned that they believed in the idea that the minority ethnic groups in the border areas of Myanmar were committed to building a comprehensive peace with the center Burma and establishing a federal democratic Union, and that idea could only implement with the strength and ability of minority ethnic groups.

In 2015, AA was refused by the government/military to participate in the signing of the NCA. AA was not allowed to attend the first Panglong Conference, however, due to the mediation and coordination of China, AA was able to attend the second and third Panglong Conference together with 7 Northern groups.

The fighting between the military and AA, which started in December 2018 raged until 2019. Since 2019, a ceasefire was negotiated between AA and the government/military but the fighting continued. In November 2019, the president of the Nippon Foundation, Mr. Sasakawa, intervened and negotiated a ceasefire, although no ceasefire agreement was signed.

In March 2020, AA was declared an unlawful association by the order of the President of Myanmar and the anti-terrorism central committee issued the order that AA was a terrorist organization.

After the military coup, SAC issued an order to withdraw the terrorist designation of the Arakan Army (AA) on March 23, 2023. In the first week of February 2022, there were skirmishes in Maungdaw township. On November 26, 2022, SAC and AA agreed to the Humanitarian Pause again.

After the military coup, the ULA/AA has been able to expend their administration and judicial mechanisms within Rakhine State.

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