People's Defence Force (Myanmar)

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People's Defence Force
ပြည်သူ့ကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်မတော်
Founding leaderYee Mon
Foundation5 May 2021 (2021-05-05)
Dates of operation5 May 2021 (2021-05-05) – present
CountryMyanmar
Allegiance Myanmar
Group(s)
  • People's Defence Force, Mandalay
  • People's Defence Force, Bago[1]
  • People's Defence Force, Sagaing[2]
  • People's Defence Force, Magway[2]
  • People's Defence Force, Yangon[3]
  • Chinland Defence Force
  • Karenni People's Defence Force[4]
  • Various other local PDFs[5]
IdeologyFederalism
Size400+ battalions[6]
Part ofMinistry of Defence, National Unity Government
Allies
Opponents Myanmar (SAC)
Battles and warsInternal conflict in Myanmar
  • 2021 anti-coup insurgency in Myanmar

The People's Defence Force (Burmese: ပြည်သူ့ကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်မတော်; abbreviated PDF) is the armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG), a body claiming to be the legitimate government of Myanmar. The armed wing was formed by the National Unity Government with Myanmar youths and pro-democracy activists on 5 May 2021 in response to the coup d'état that occurred on 1 February 2021 and ongoing violence of the junta.[8] Despite having a large amount of support from the people of Myanmar, the military junta designated it as a terrorist organisation on 8 May.[9] In October 2021, the NUG's Ministry of Defence announced it had formed a central committee to coordinate military operations across the country, under a single chain of command.[10]

According to the statement made by the NUG, the PDF is divided into five divisions (Northern, Southern, Middle, Eastern and Western Divisions), each having at least three brigades. Each brigade consists of five battalions, which are further divided into four companies.[11] On 13 July 2021, the NUG's minister of defence Yee Mon stated that the strength of the newly-formed militia was expected to reach 8,000 by the end of the month.[12]

History[]

Yee Mon, the minister of defence of the NUG, announced on 16 April 2021 that the NUG would establish an armed wing that would cooperate with various ethnic armed organisations[13] as to launch an armed revolution against the junta.[14] On 5 May 2021, the National Unity Government announced the formation of the PDF as a "forerunner of the federal armed forces". It also stated that the PDF is formed in response to the violence happening throughout the country.[15] On 28 May 2021, the NUG released a video of the PDF's graduation ceremony, announcing that the armed wing was ready to challenge the military junta's forces.[16]

Yangon Region clashes[]

On 14 August 2021, the PDF ambushed six heavily armed policemen who were travelling along the Yangon Circular Railway, using pistols. Four policemen were killed on the spot, while a fifth died of his wounds in hospital. A sixth policeman was injured but survived, totalling 5 killed and 1 wounded. Four automatic rifles belonging to the policemen were also seized. [17]

Shan State clashes[]

The PDF clashed with the Tatmadaw in the town of Muse on 23 May 2021, killing at least 13 members of Myanmar's security forces.[18] Another clash happened in the town of Moebyel, in which 20 members of the police force were killed.[19]

Karenni State clashes[]

Karenni PDF launched attacks in Demoso and Bawlakhe townships, killing at least twenty Tatmadaw soldiers and police and burning down three outposts on 26 May 2021.[4] Tatmadaw retaliated with shelling residential areas with artillery.[20]

On 31 May 2021, Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) was formed as a merger of scattered PDF groups in the Karenni state and some local Ethnic Armed Organisations, the main organisation being Karenni National Progressive Party.[21]

Sagaing clashes[]

The PDF, alongside with the Kachin Independence Army, began assaults on Tatmadaw positions in Katha, Sagaing around the end of May 2021, killing eight regime soldiers and injuring thirteen.[22] On 24 and 26 June 2021, combined PDF and KIA forces clashed with the Tatmadaw, reportedly killing at least 44 regime troops.[23]

On 15 January 2022, a combined force of PDF and All Burma Students' Democratic Front attacked two Tatmadaw ships approaching Katha from Shwegu using rocket-propelled grenades. This confrontation marks the first time ABSDF has engaged the Tatmadaw since the beginning of the coup, entering a war against the regime and openly siding with the PDF.[24]

Mandalay clashes[]

In early June 2021, PDF activities increased significantly across the Mandalay District, with multiple violent clashes with pro-junta security forces being reported in Mandalay city and surrounding townships.

On 1 June, a PDF fighter shot two soldiers, killing one, outside of a high school that had been forced to re-open by junta authorities despite a nationwide boycott of government-run schools. The leader of the PDF in Mandalay, Bo Nat Khat, also claimed responsibility for recent bombings in five townships. The military junta has called the PDF attacks acts of terrorism.[25]

In Patheingyi Township on 8 June, three PDF fighters in a vehicle rammed two police officers on motorbikes in a car-ramming attack before shooting and killing them. The PDF claimed responsibility for the attack which was confirmed by a pro-democracy police officer.[25]

On 22 June, Tatmadaw forces in armoured vehicles raided a PDF base in Chanmyathazi Township, resulting in the deaths of two fighters and six arrests, according to the PDF.[26] Tatmadaw-owned media sources claimed that four PDF fighters were killed and eight arrested, while some security forces were injured.[27] Later that day, the Mandalay PDF spokesperson announced that the group had "declared war" on the junta.[28]

Other activities[]

In early June 2021, a combined force of five armed groups; the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) splinter group, PDF, KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KPC), Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) and a Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) splinter group clashed with Tatmadaw and Karen BGF in Phlu village, Karen state.[29] Brigadier General Saw Kyaw Thet, commander-in-chief of the DKBA splinter group stated that the five armed groups are cooperating throughout Karen state.[29]

A villager of Kin Ma, in Magway Region, reported on 15 June 2021 that PDF forces had clashed with security forces in the village.[30] Following this incident, Tatmadaw forces burned down the village, killing at least two.[30] , allied with Thanbyuzayat PDF together destroyed military junta owned business Mytel's telecom tower, located in Thanbyuzayat Township, on 1 October.[31]

Defections from the Tatmadaw[]

The Burmese military has seen increased defections to the civil disobedience movement (CDM) and the PDF in opposition to the military coup.[32] The NUG and PDF groups have launched propaganda and psychological warfare campaigns to accelerate the Burmese military's collapse.[32] Army defectors generally face death sentences, which are then commuted to life in prison.[33]

By September 2021, the number of defectors had risen to 1,500 soldiers and 500 police officers, most of whom were privates and sergeants.[34][35]

In October 2021, Brigadier-General Phyo Thant, who leads the Northwest Command, was detained by the military after his plans to defect were exposed.[36] Sagaing Region and Chin State, which are part of the Northwest Command, have seen strong local armed resistance from the PDF.

By 5 February 2022 more than 8,000 soldiers had defected to join the CDM, with 75 percent of defectors expressing their willingness to join the PDF.[37][38]

References[]

  1. ^ "Interview: 'Our Strength is in the People'". Radio Free Asia (RFA). 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Sagaing and Magway PDFs launch guerrilla attacks on military columns". Myanmar Now. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Yangon PDF Central Command announces attacks after Kyimyindine crackdown". BNI. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Karenni resistance fighters open new front against junta". Myanmar Now. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  5. ^ Davis, Anthony (25 December 2021). "Who's more likely to win Myanmar's raging civil war?". Asia Times). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  6. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VeYO0FAEjU
  7. ^ "Chin National Front Signs Deal with Myanmar's Shadow Govt". The Irrawaddy. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  8. ^ Sebastian Strangio (6 May 2021). "Can Myanmar's New 'People's Defense Force' Succeed?". The Diplomat.
  9. ^ "Myanmar junta designates shadow government as 'terrorist' group". Deutsche Welle. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  10. ^ "NUG establishes 'chain of command' in fight against regime". Myanmar NOW. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Details about the People's Defense Force (in Burmese). National Unity Government of Myanmar. 2021.
  12. ^ "PDF's strength expected to reach 8,000". Radio Free Asia (in Burmese). 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Who are Myanmar's ethnic militias?". The Economist. 15 April 2021.
  14. ^ "A provisional military will be formed in Myanmar". The Irrawaddy (in Burmese). Retrieved 16 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "NUG founds People's Defense Force". RFA Burmese. Retrieved 5 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Myanmar's shadow government parades new armed force". CNA. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Five police officers shot dead in attack on Yangon train". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Myanmar: 13 security forces members killed in clash with anti-coup bloc's defence force". ANI News. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Myanmar rebels claim police killings as Aung San Suu Kyi appears in court". The Guardian. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Karenni resistance fighters kill three police officers as military attacks residential areas with artillery". Myanmar Now. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) will carry out NUG's defense policies". BNI Multimedia Group. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Myanmar Junta Forces and KIA in Fresh Fighting in Northern Myanmar". The Irrawaddy. 7 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Dozens of regime soldiers reportedly killed in clashes with PDFs in eastern Sagaing". Myanmar Now. 29 June 2021.
  24. ^ "All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) has entered a war with Myanmar's junta military". The Chindwin. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  25. ^ a b "PDF fighters in Mandalay kill two police officers in spontaneous attack". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  26. ^ "UPDATED: Two Civilian Fighters Killed Amid Shootout With Myanmar Junta Troops in Mandalay". The Irrawaddy. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Myanmar militias vow to take on army after city firefight". Reuters. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Mandalay PDF 'declares war' on junta". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Karen Rebel Leader Warns Myanmar Regime of More Fighting". The Irrawaddy. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Myanmar village of Kin Ma burns down after clashes". BBC News. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Mytel telecom tower has been destroyed by local people defense forces in Thanbyuzayat Township (in Burmese)". Democratic Voice of Burma. 2 October 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Finding fault lines within the Tatmadaw". Frontier Myanmar. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  33. ^ Ebbighausen, Rodion, In Myanmar, the army controls its soldiers' lives, minds and finances | DW | 18 May 2021, retrieved 10 October 2021
  34. ^ "Thousands of Myanmar Soldiers and Police Have Joined Anti-Junta Forces Since Coup". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  35. ^ "2,000 Myanmar Junta Soldiers and Police Join Civil Disobedience Movement". The Irrawaddy. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Myanmar Military Detains North Western Commander for Planning to Defect: Ethnic Insurgent Sources". The Irrawaddy. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  37. ^ CDM ရဲနဲ့ စစ်သား ၈၀၀၀ ကျော်ပြီလို့ ပြည်သူ့ရင်ခွင်အဖွဲ့ပြော, retrieved 6 February 2022
  38. ^ "Roughly 800 soldiers have fled the military since the coup, says defector". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
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