List of insurgent groups in Myanmar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cadets of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) preparing for military drills at the group's headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State.

This is a list of insurgent groups in Myanmar (also known as Burma). They are officially called ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) by the government of Myanmar.[1]

Active combatants[]

Name Abbreviation Founded Strength Headquarters Location Affiliations Notes
Arakan Army AA 2009 3,000[2]–7,000+[3] Laiza Chin State;[4] Kachin State;
Rakhine State;
Shan State;
Bangladesh–Myanmar border
Arakan Army (Kayin State) AA (Kayin) 2010 100[5]–350+[citation needed] Mobile headquarters Kayin State Armed wing of the Arakan National Council
Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army ARSA 2013 ~200[6][7] Mobile headquarters Rakhine State;
Bangladesh–Myanmar border
  • Claimed responsibility for attacks on Burmese border posts along Myanmar's border with Bangladesh in 2016 and 2017[8]
  • Previously known as Harakah al-Yaqin
Kachin Independence Army KIA 1961 10,000–12,000[9] Laiza;
Pajau (until 2005) 		Kachin State Holds and governs territory in Kachin State[11]
Karen National Defence Organisation KNDO 1949 Unknown Lay Wah;
Manerplaw (until 1995)[12] 		Kayah State;
Kayin State 		Affiliate of the Karen National Union
  • Signed ceasefires with the government in 2012 and 2015[13]
  • Violated the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état
Karen National Liberation Army KNLA 1949 5,000[14][15]–7,000[16] Lay Wah;
Manerplaw (until 1995)[12] 		Kayah State;
Kayin State;
Tanintharyi Region 		Violated the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état
Karenni Army KA/KNPP 1949 500[15]–1,500[16] Nya Moe[17] Kayah State
Kuki National Army KNA(B) 1988 200+[18] Mobile headquarters Chin State;
Sagaing Region 		Armed wing of the Kuki National Organisation
Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army MNDAA 1989 2,000[19]–4,000[20] Mobile headquarters Shan State (Kokang)
  • Armed wing of the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party
  • Part of the Northern Alliance
 Split from the Communist Party of Burma after its dissolution
People's Defense Force PDF 2021 Unknown Armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG)
  • Formed in May 2021 after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état
  • Consists of several local resistance groups and other newly-formed anti-junta ethnic militias, such as the Karenni People's Defence Force and the Chinland Defense Force
Pa-O National Army PNA 1949 Unknown Taunggyi Shan State Armed wing of the Pa-O National Organisation
Shanni Nationalities Army SNA 2016 1,000+[21] Mobile headquarters Kachin State Allies with the Shan State Army - South and the Tatmadaw
Shan State Army - North SSA-N 1971 8,000[2] Wan Hai Shan State
Shan State Army - South SSA-S 1996 6,000[16]–8,000[2] Loi Tai Leng Shan State;
Myanmar–Thailand border
Split from the Mong Tai Army in 1995
Ta'ang National Liberation Army TNLA 1992 1,500[22]–3,500[23] Mobile headquarters Shan State Governs the Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone
Zomi Revolutionary Army ZRA 1997 3,000[2] Churachandpur Chin State;
India–Myanmar border 		Armed wing of the Zomi Revolutionary Organisation Only minor skirmishes in Myanmar

Ceasefire groups[]

Name Abbreviation Founded Ceasefire Strength Headquarters Location Affiliations Notes
All Burma Students' Democratic Front ABSDF 1988 2015[13] 600[24]–1,000[15] Manerplaw (until 1995)[12] Myanmar–Thailand border;
India–Myanmar border;
China–Myanmar border 		Joined the CRPH/NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état
Arakan Liberation Army ALA 1968 2012, 2015[13] 60–100[25] Sittwe Kayin State;
Rakhine State 		Armed wing of the Arakan Liberation Party
Chin National Army CNA 1988 2012, 2015[13] 200+[26][15] Hakha Chin State Joined the CRPH/NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army - Brigade 5 DKBA-5 2010 2011 1,500+[2][27] Sonesee Myaing Myawaddy Township, Kayin State Split from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in 2010
KNU/KNLA Peace Council KPC 2007 2015 <200[28] Tokawko Kayin State Not affiliated with the KNU or the KNLA, despite its name
Lahu Democratic Union LDU Unknown 2018 Mobile headquarters Shan State
Mon National Liberation Army MNLA 1958 1995, 2012, 2018 800+ (2,000–5,000 reserves)[32] Ye Chaung Phya Mon State;
Tanintharyi Region 		Armed wing of the New Mon State Party Signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2018, along with the Lahu Democratic Union[29][30][31]
National Democratic Alliance Army NDAA-ESS 1989 1989, 2011 3,000[33]–4,000[2] Mong La Shan State Split from the Communist Party of Burma after its dissolution
National Socialist Council of Nagaland NSCN-K 1980 2012 <500[34] Mobile headquarters Sagaing Region (Naga Self-Administered Zone);
India–Myanmar border 		Signed a ceasefire with India in 2001[35] and Myanmar in 2012[36]
Pa-O National Liberation Army PNLA 2009 2012 400+[2][37] Camp Laybwer Shan State;
Myanmar–Thailand border 		Armed wing of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation
United Wa State Army UWSA 1989 1989, 2011 20,000[38]–25,000[39] Pangkham Shan State Armed wing of the United Wa State Party Governs the Wa Self-Administered Division (Wa State)[40]
Wa National Army WNA 1969 1997 200[15] Homein Shan State Signed a peace agreement with the government in August 1997

Defunct groups[]

Name Abbreviation Founded Disbanded Strength Headquarters Location Affiliations Notes
Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front ARIF 1986[41] 1998 Unknown Mobile headquarters Rakhine State;
Bangladesh–Myanmar border
Communist Party of Arakan CPA 1962 2004 Unknown Mobile headquarters Rakhine State Split from the Red Flag Communist Party (RFCP)
Communist Party of Burma CPB 1939 1989 6,000[42] Pangkham (until 1989) Shan State Armed wing dissolved in 1989
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army DKBA 1994 2010 <5,000[2] Mobile headquarters Kayin State
  • Signed a ceasefire agreement shortly after its formation in 1994 and disbanded in 2010
  • Split from the Karen National Union
God's Army 1997 2006 500[43] Mobile headquarters Myanmar–Thailand border Surrendered to government forces in 2006
Kachin Defense Army KDA 1961 2010 1,500[44] Kawnghka Shan State Originated as the Kachin Independence Army's 4th brigade
Karenni National People's Liberation Front KNPLF 1978 2009 4,000[45] Pankan Kayah State
  • Split from the Karenni Army
  • Signed a ceasefire agreement in 1989 and transformed into a BGF in 2009
Mongko Region Defence Army MRDA 1995[46][47] 2000 Unknown Mongko Shan State;
China–Myanmar border 		Split from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army
Mong Tai Army MTA 1985 1996 20,000 Homein Shan State;
Myanmar–Thailand border 		Surrendered to the government in 1996
Monland Restoration Army MRA 2001 2012 100–300[48][49] Sangkhlaburi Mon State;
Tanintharyi Region 		Armed wing of the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party Surrendered to government forces in 2012
Mujahideen None 1947 1961 2,000 Mayu Rakhine State Majority of fighters surrendered to the government in the late 1950s and early 1960s
New Democratic Army - Kachin NDA-K 1989 2009 700 (peak)[50] Pang Wa Shan State Signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 1989 and transformed into a BGF in 2009
Red Flag Communist Party RFCP 1948 1978 500[51] Mobile headquarters Shan State Split from the Communist Party of Burma
Rohingya Liberation Party RLP 1972 1974 800–2,500[52] Mobile headquarters Rakhine State Insurgents fled across the border into Bangladesh after a massive military operation by the government in July 1974
Rohingya National Army RNA 1998 2001 Unknown Cox's Bazar Rakhine State;
Bangladesh–Myanmar border 		Armed wing of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)
Rohingya Patriotic Front RPF 1974 1980s 70[52] Mobile headquarters Rakhine State
Rohingya Solidarity Organisation RSO 1982[53] 1998 Unknown Rakhine State;
Bangladesh–Myanmar border
  • Mainly active in the 1990s, militarily defunct by 1998
  • Alleged by the Tatmadaw to have had connections with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda
Shan State Army SSA 1964 1976 1,500 Mobile headquarters Shan State
Shan State National Army SSNA 1995 2005 8,000 (peak)[54] Hsipaw Shan State Merged with the Shan State Army - South in 2005
Shan United Revolutionary Army SURA 1960 1996 Unknown Homein Shan State;
Myanmar–Thailand border
Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors VBSW 1999 2013 Unknown Mobile headquarters Myanmar–Thailand border
  • No insurgent or terror activity has been attributed to the VBSW since 2013[55]
  • Gained notoriety in the October 1999 siege of the Burmese consulate in Bangkok, Thailand

Military coalitions[]

Name Abbreviation Founded Headquarters Members Notes
Federal Union Army FUA 2011 Chiang Mai
Armed wing of the United Nationalities Federal Council[56]
Northern Alliance NA-B 2016 Laiza

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Ethnic armed organisations' conference commences". President's Office of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Armed ethnic groups | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  3. ^ "ဘယ္က ေငြနဲ႔ AA တပ္ေထာင္သလဲ". ဧရာဝတီ (in Burmese). 8 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Internet Blackout Imposed on Myanmar's Restive Rakhine State". Agence France-Presse via Voice of America. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  5. ^ "AA (Karen Region) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  6. ^ Olarn, Kocha; Griffiths, James (11 January 2018). "Myanmar military admits role in killing Rohingya found in mass grave". CNN. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  7. ^ "'Beyond comprehension': Myanmar admits killing Rohingya". www.aljazeera.com. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Islamist fears rise in Rohingya-linked violence". Bangkok Post. Post Publishing PCL. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "Peace Process Overview | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Burma attack breaks Kachin truce near China border". BBC. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014. The rebels are seeking greater autonomy within Burma for ethnic Kachins who have had de facto control over a part of northern Burma for more than 50 years.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c "The Politics of Pressure: The 1990s and the Fall of Manerplaw". www.ibiblio.org. The Museum of Karen History and Culture. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Myanmar Signs Historic Cease-Fire Deal With Eight Ethnic Armies". Radio Free Asia. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Asia Times - News and analysis from throughout Southeast Asia". Archived from the original on 21 October 2003.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e I. Rotberg, Robert (1998). Burma: Prospects for a Democratic Future. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 0815791690.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c Burma center for Ethnic Studies, Jan. 2012, "Briefing Paper No. 1" http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs13/BCES-BP-01-ceasefires(en).pdf
  17. ^ Murray, Lucy. "Karenni rebels dig in for last stand". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 26 March 2005.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. ^ "Kuki National Organization | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  19. ^ "MNDAA | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  20. ^ "47 Govt Troops Killed, Tens of Thousands Flee Heavy Fighting in Shan State". irrawaddy.org.
  21. ^ Thet Ko Ko (8 April 2019). "Without Territory, the Shanni Army's Difficult Path to Recognition". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  22. ^ "PSLF/TNLA | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  23. ^ Larsen, Niels (23 April 2015). "On Patrol With Myanmar Rebels Fighting Both the Army and Drug Addiction - VICE News". VICE News (Crime and Drugs).
  24. ^ "All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  25. ^ "Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Chin National Front (CNF) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  27. ^ "Peace may prove elusive as divisions sap strength of karen national union | Bangkok Post: news". www.bangkokpost.com. Bangkok Post. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  28. ^ "Karen Peace Council (KPC) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b "2 groups join Myanmar government's peace process". AP News. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b "New Mon State Party and Lahu Democratic Union sign NCA". Office of the President of Myanmar. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b "NCA signing ceremony for NMSP, LDU to take place on 13 Feb". Mizzima. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  32. ^ "New Mon State Party (NMSP) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  33. ^ "NDAA | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  34. ^ "NSCN-K | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  35. ^ "NSCN(K) faction revokes decision to abrogate ceasefire agreement". The Economic Times. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  36. ^ "Naga Peace Process: Gone Off Track". www.ipcs.org. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  37. ^ "PNLO | Myanmar Peace Monitor". www.mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  38. ^ Johnson, Tim (29 August 2009). China Urges Burma to Bridle Ethnic Militia Uprising at Border. The Washington Post.
  39. ^ Davis, Anthony. "Wa army fielding new Chinese artillery, ATGMs". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  40. ^ Gerdes, Luke (8 February 2009). "Constructing Terror: How Issues of Construct Validity Undermine the Utility of Terror Databases and Statistical Analyses of Terrorism". All Academic Research. Retrieved 18 August 2014. The best such example comes from the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an armed ethnic organisation that has established de facto control over a portion of Northeastern Burma.
  41. ^ "Bangladesh Extremist Islamist Consolidation". by Bertil Lintner. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  42. ^ Gibson, Richard Michael (2011). The Secret Army: Chiang Kai-shek and the Drug Warlords of the Golden Triangle. John Wiley and Sons. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-470-83018-5.
  43. ^ Mydans, Seth (1 April 2000). "Burmese Rebel Chief More Boy Than Warrior". NY Times. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  44. ^ "KDA transformed to militia groups by Burma junta". www.burmanet.org. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  45. ^ "Karenni National People's Liberation Front". Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  46. ^ Steinberg, David I. (2001). Burma: The State of Myanmar. Georgetown University Press. p. 195. ISBN 1589012852. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  47. ^ Colletta, Nat J.; Lim, Teck Ghee; Kelles-Viitanen, Anita (2001). Social Cohesion and Conflict Prevention in Asia: Managing Diversity Through Development. World Bank Publications. p. 310. ISBN 9780821348741. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  48. ^ "Ceasefire celebration noticeably absent". Independent Mon News Agency. Independent Mon news Agency. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  49. ^ The Irrawaddi - Precarious Peace in Monland
  50. ^ "New Democratic Army - Kachin". Mizzima News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  51. ^ Schmid, Alex Peter, A.J. Jongman, and Michael Stohl. Political Terrorism: A New Guide to Actors, Authors, Concepts, Data Bases, Theories, and Literature. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers, 2005. p. 514
  52. ^ Jump up to: a b Pho Kan Kaung (May 1992). The Danger of Rohingya. Myet Khin Thit Magazine No. 25. pp. 87–103.
  53. ^ "Rohingya Solidarity Organization | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  54. ^ "MAR - Data - Chronology for Shans in Burma". 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  55. ^ "Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors". Tracking Terrorism.
  56. ^ "Stakeholders: UNFC | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 12 March 2018.

External links[]

  • Myanmar Peace Monitor – NGO based in Chaing Mai, Thailand that monitors Myanmar's ongoing peace process.
  • Pyidaungsu Institute – Political institute based in Chaing Mai, Thailand focused on achieving political stability and peace in Myanmar.
Retrieved from ""