![]() | This article needs to be updated.(November 2023) |
The following is a list of non-state armed groups involved in the internal conflict in Myanmar, officially called ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) by the government of Myanmar. [1]
The term "ethnic armed organisation" ( Burmese: တိုင်းရင်းသား လက်နက်ကိုင် အဖွဲ့အစည်း) emerged in Myanmar during the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement negotiations from 2013 to 2015. [2] Various other terms, including "ethnic organisation", "ethnic resistance force", and "ethnic rebel group" have also been used to describe ethnic armed organisations. These organisations typically:
Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Strength | Headquarters | Location | Affiliations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
AA | 2009 | 40,000+ (claimed in May 2024)
[3]
|
Laiza |
|
||
![]() |
AA (Kayin) | 2010 | 350 (2024) [6] | Mobile headquarters | Kayin State |
|
|
![]() |
ABSDF | 1988 | 600 (2016) [7] | Manerplaw (until 1995) [8] | Joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état [9] | ||
![]() |
ALA | 1968 | 100 (2024) [10] | Sittwe | Armed wing of the Arakan Liberation Party |
| |
![]() |
ARA | 2020 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() |
ARSA | 2013 | ~200 (2018) [12] [13] | Mobile headquarters |
| ||
![]() |
BPLA | 2021 | 1,000+ [15] | Mobile headquarters | Eastern Myanmar | Co-founded by activist Maung Saungkha | |
![]() |
CNA | 1988 | 1,500+ (2024) [16] | Camp Victoria [17] | Chin State |
|
Joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état [19] |
![]() |
CNDF | 2021 | Unknown | Falam | Chin State | Armed wing of the Chin National Organisation [20] | |
![]() |
CDF | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() ![]() |
DKBA-5 | 2010 | 2,000+ (2024) [10] [21] [22] | Sonesee Myaing | Armed wing of the Klohtoobaw Karen Organization [10] |
| |
![]() |
KDA | 1991 | 2,850 (2020) [23] | Kawnghka | Shan State |
| |
![]() |
KIA | 1961 | 20,000 (2018) [25] | Kachin State, northern Shan State |
|
Holds and governs territory in Kachin State [26] | |
![]() |
KLO | 1995 | Unknown | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) [27] | Part of the UNLFW | Based in India and operates in Assam and West Bengal | |
![]() ![]() |
KNA | 2024 | 7,000+ [28] | Shwe Kokko [29] | Kayin State |
| |
![]() |
KNDO | 1947 | Unknown | Affiliate of the Karen National Union | |||
![]() |
KNLA | 1949 | 15,000 (2021) [32] |
|
Broke its commitment to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état | ||
![]() |
KA | 1949 | 1,500 (2012) [33] | Nya Moe [34] | Kayah State |
|
|
![]() |
KNPLF | 1978 | 2,000 [35] | Pankan | Kayah State |
| |
![]() |
KNDF | 2021 | 7,000+ [36] | Mobile headquarters | |||
Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup | KYKL | 1994 | Unknown | Mobile Headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | |
![]() |
KCP | 1980 | ~112 (2012) [39] | Mobile Headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | |
![]() |
KNLP/A | 1964 | 200–300 | Pekon |
|
Armed wing of the Kayan New Land Party |
|
![]() |
KTLA | 2022 | Unknown | Kayin State | Broke away from the Karen National Union July 2022 [40] | ||
KNU/KNLA Peace Council | KPC | 2007 | 500+ (2024) [10] [41] | To-kawko | Kayin State | Not affiliated with the KNU or KNLA, despite its name | |
![]() |
KNA(B) | 1988 | 200+ (2016) [42] | Mobile headquarters | Armed wing of the Kuki National Organisation | Based in India and operates in Manipur | |
![]() |
KCNA | 2017 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Armed wing of the Kuki-Chin National Front |
| |
![]() |
LDU | 1973 [44] | 1,500 (2024) [10] | Loi Lan [10] | Shan State |
| |
![]() |
MNLA | 1958 | 1,000+ (2024) [10] [48] | Ye Chaung Phya | Armed wing of the New Mon State Party | Signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2018, along with the Lahu Democratic Union [45] [46] [47] | |
![]() |
MNLA-AMD | 2024 | 300 [10] | Unknown | Mon State | Armed wing of the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship) |
|
![]() |
MNDAA | 1989 | 2,000 [49]–4,000 [50] (2016) | Mobile headquarters | Shan State ( Kokang) |
|
|
![]() |
MRDA | 2022 | 1,000+ [51] | Pale | Sagaing Region | Formerly known as the Myanmar Royal Dragon Army | |
![]() |
NDAA | 1989 | 3,000 [52]–4,000 [21] (2016) | Mong La | Shan State | Split from the Communist Party of Burma after its dissolution | |
![]() |
NLA | 2023 | Unknown | Tamu Township | Sagaing Region ( Tamu Township) | Formerly the PDF Tamu Battalion 3 | |
![]() |
|
1980 | <500 (2016) [53] |
|
Part of the UNLFW |
| |
New Democratic Army – Kachin |
|
1989 | 700 (peak) [56] | Pangwa | Kachin State | Signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 1989 and transformed into a Border Guard Forces in 2009 | |
![]() |
PNA | 1949 | 4,000 (2023) [57] | Taunggyi | Shan State | Armed wing of the Pa-O National Organisation |
|
![]() |
PNLA | 2009 | 1,000+ (2024) [10] [21] [58] | Camp Laybwer | Armed wing of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation | Split into a pro-peace talk and anti-junta faction in January 2024 [10] | |
![]() |
2021 | 100,000 (2024 est.) [59] | Armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG) |
| |||
![]() |
PDF (Kalay) | 2021 | Unknown | Kalay | Sagaing Region | Part of the People's Defence Force | |
![]() |
PLA | 2021 | Unknown | Armed wing of the Communist Party of Burma | The Communist Party of Burma rearmed itself and announced the creation of its new armed wing, the People's Liberation Army, in late 2021. [60] [61] | ||
![]() |
PLAM | 1978 | 3,800 (2008) | Manipur | Part of CorCom | ||
![]() |
PRA (Magway) | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak | PREPAK | 1977 | ~200 (2012) [64] | Mobile headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | |
![]() |
RSO | 1982 [65] | Unknown |
| |||
![]() |
SNA | 2016 | 1,000+ (2019) [67] | Mobile headquarters | Kachin State | Allies with the Shan State Army (RCSS) and the Tatmadaw | |
![]() |
SSPP/SSA | 1971 | 10,000 (2023) [68] | Wan Hai | Shan State |
|
Declared war on the junta on 20 February 2024, after previously accepting a ceasefire in 2012. |
![]() |
RCSS/SSA | 1996 | 8,000 (2024) [10] | Loi Tai Leng |
|
Split from the Mong Tai Army in 1995 | |
![]() |
LEM/LNDP | 2013 | 100 (2022) [69] | Myitkyina | Kachin State | Armed wing of the Lisu National Development Party |
|
![]() |
SAF | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() |
TNLA | 1992 | 10,000–15,000 (2023) [70] | Mobile headquarters | Shan State |
|
Governs the Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone |
![]() |
ULFA-I | 1979 | 200 (2024) | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) [27] | Part of the UNLFW |
| |
![]() |
UNLF | 1964 | 2,000 | Manipur | Part of CorCom |
| |
![]() |
UWSA | 1989 | 25,000 (2015) [73] | Pangkham | Shan State |
|
Governs the Wa Self-Administered Division ( Wa State) [74] |
![]() |
WNA | 1969 | 200 (1998) [75] | Homein | Shan State |
|
Signed a peace agreement with the government in August 1997 |
![]() |
ZRA-EC | 1997 | 3,000 (2016) [21] | Churachandpur | Armed wing of the Zomi Revolutionary Organisation |
![]() |
Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Disbanded | Strength | Headquarters | Location | Affiliations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front | ARIF | 1986 [77] | 1998 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() |
NDFB | 1986 | 2020 | 3,000+ | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) [27] | Part of the UNLFW |
| |
Communist Party of Arakan | CPA | 1962 | 2004 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine State | Split from the Red Flag Communist Party | |
![]() |
CPB | 1939 | 1989 | 6,000 [78] | Pangkham (until 1989) | Shan State | Armed wing dissolved in 1989 | |
![]() |
DKBA | 1994 | 2010 | <5,000 [21] | Mobile headquarters | Kayin State |
| |
God's Army | 1997 | 2006 | 500 [79] | Mobile headquarters | Myanmar–Thailand border | Surrendered to government forces in 2006 | ||
Mongko Region Defence Army | MRDA | 1995 [80] [81] | 2000 | Unknown | Mongko | Split from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army | ||
![]() |
MTA | 1985 | 1996 | 20,000 | Homein | Surrendered to the government in 1996 | ||
Monland Restoration Army | MRA | 2001 | 2012 | 100–300 [82] [83] | Sangkhlaburi | Armed wing of the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party | Surrendered to government forces in 2012 | |
![]() |
None | 1947 | 1954 | 2,000 | Mayu | Rakhine State | Majority of fighters surrendered to the government in the late 1950s and early 1960s | |
![]() |
RFCP | 1948 | 1978 | 500 [84] | Mobile headquarters | Shan State | Split from the Communist Party of Burma | |
Rohingya Liberation Party | RLP | 1972 | 1974 | 800–2,500 [85][ better source needed] | 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 | Armed wing of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) | ||
Rohingya Patriotic Front | RPF | 1974 | 1980s | 70 [85] | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine State | ||
![]() |
SSA | 1964 | 1976 | 1,500 | Mobile headquarters | Shan State |
| |
![]() |
SSNA | 1995 | 2005 | 8,000 (peak) [86] | Hsipaw | Shan State | Merged with the Shan State Army – South in 2005 | |
![]() |
SURA | 1960 | 1996 | Unknown | Homein |
| ||
![]() |
VBSW | 1999 | 2013 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Myanmar–Thailand border |
|
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.
{{
cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
link)
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.
![]() | This article needs to be updated.(November 2023) |
The following is a list of non-state armed groups involved in the internal conflict in Myanmar, officially called ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) by the government of Myanmar. [1]
The term "ethnic armed organisation" ( Burmese: တိုင်းရင်းသား လက်နက်ကိုင် အဖွဲ့အစည်း) emerged in Myanmar during the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement negotiations from 2013 to 2015. [2] Various other terms, including "ethnic organisation", "ethnic resistance force", and "ethnic rebel group" have also been used to describe ethnic armed organisations. These organisations typically:
Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Strength | Headquarters | Location | Affiliations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
AA | 2009 | 40,000+ (claimed in May 2024)
[3]
|
Laiza |
|
||
![]() |
AA (Kayin) | 2010 | 350 (2024) [6] | Mobile headquarters | Kayin State |
|
|
![]() |
ABSDF | 1988 | 600 (2016) [7] | Manerplaw (until 1995) [8] | Joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état [9] | ||
![]() |
ALA | 1968 | 100 (2024) [10] | Sittwe | Armed wing of the Arakan Liberation Party |
| |
![]() |
ARA | 2020 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() |
ARSA | 2013 | ~200 (2018) [12] [13] | Mobile headquarters |
| ||
![]() |
BPLA | 2021 | 1,000+ [15] | Mobile headquarters | Eastern Myanmar | Co-founded by activist Maung Saungkha | |
![]() |
CNA | 1988 | 1,500+ (2024) [16] | Camp Victoria [17] | Chin State |
|
Joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état [19] |
![]() |
CNDF | 2021 | Unknown | Falam | Chin State | Armed wing of the Chin National Organisation [20] | |
![]() |
CDF | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() ![]() |
DKBA-5 | 2010 | 2,000+ (2024) [10] [21] [22] | Sonesee Myaing | Armed wing of the Klohtoobaw Karen Organization [10] |
| |
![]() |
KDA | 1991 | 2,850 (2020) [23] | Kawnghka | Shan State |
| |
![]() |
KIA | 1961 | 20,000 (2018) [25] | Kachin State, northern Shan State |
|
Holds and governs territory in Kachin State [26] | |
![]() |
KLO | 1995 | Unknown | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) [27] | Part of the UNLFW | Based in India and operates in Assam and West Bengal | |
![]() ![]() |
KNA | 2024 | 7,000+ [28] | Shwe Kokko [29] | Kayin State |
| |
![]() |
KNDO | 1947 | Unknown | Affiliate of the Karen National Union | |||
![]() |
KNLA | 1949 | 15,000 (2021) [32] |
|
Broke its commitment to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état | ||
![]() |
KA | 1949 | 1,500 (2012) [33] | Nya Moe [34] | Kayah State |
|
|
![]() |
KNPLF | 1978 | 2,000 [35] | Pankan | Kayah State |
| |
![]() |
KNDF | 2021 | 7,000+ [36] | Mobile headquarters | |||
Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup | KYKL | 1994 | Unknown | Mobile Headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | |
![]() |
KCP | 1980 | ~112 (2012) [39] | Mobile Headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | |
![]() |
KNLP/A | 1964 | 200–300 | Pekon |
|
Armed wing of the Kayan New Land Party |
|
![]() |
KTLA | 2022 | Unknown | Kayin State | Broke away from the Karen National Union July 2022 [40] | ||
KNU/KNLA Peace Council | KPC | 2007 | 500+ (2024) [10] [41] | To-kawko | Kayin State | Not affiliated with the KNU or KNLA, despite its name | |
![]() |
KNA(B) | 1988 | 200+ (2016) [42] | Mobile headquarters | Armed wing of the Kuki National Organisation | Based in India and operates in Manipur | |
![]() |
KCNA | 2017 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Armed wing of the Kuki-Chin National Front |
| |
![]() |
LDU | 1973 [44] | 1,500 (2024) [10] | Loi Lan [10] | Shan State |
| |
![]() |
MNLA | 1958 | 1,000+ (2024) [10] [48] | Ye Chaung Phya | Armed wing of the New Mon State Party | Signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2018, along with the Lahu Democratic Union [45] [46] [47] | |
![]() |
MNLA-AMD | 2024 | 300 [10] | Unknown | Mon State | Armed wing of the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship) |
|
![]() |
MNDAA | 1989 | 2,000 [49]–4,000 [50] (2016) | Mobile headquarters | Shan State ( Kokang) |
|
|
![]() |
MRDA | 2022 | 1,000+ [51] | Pale | Sagaing Region | Formerly known as the Myanmar Royal Dragon Army | |
![]() |
NDAA | 1989 | 3,000 [52]–4,000 [21] (2016) | Mong La | Shan State | Split from the Communist Party of Burma after its dissolution | |
![]() |
NLA | 2023 | Unknown | Tamu Township | Sagaing Region ( Tamu Township) | Formerly the PDF Tamu Battalion 3 | |
![]() |
|
1980 | <500 (2016) [53] |
|
Part of the UNLFW |
| |
New Democratic Army – Kachin |
|
1989 | 700 (peak) [56] | Pangwa | Kachin State | Signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 1989 and transformed into a Border Guard Forces in 2009 | |
![]() |
PNA | 1949 | 4,000 (2023) [57] | Taunggyi | Shan State | Armed wing of the Pa-O National Organisation |
|
![]() |
PNLA | 2009 | 1,000+ (2024) [10] [21] [58] | Camp Laybwer | Armed wing of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation | Split into a pro-peace talk and anti-junta faction in January 2024 [10] | |
![]() |
2021 | 100,000 (2024 est.) [59] | Armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG) |
| |||
![]() |
PDF (Kalay) | 2021 | Unknown | Kalay | Sagaing Region | Part of the People's Defence Force | |
![]() |
PLA | 2021 | Unknown | Armed wing of the Communist Party of Burma | The Communist Party of Burma rearmed itself and announced the creation of its new armed wing, the People's Liberation Army, in late 2021. [60] [61] | ||
![]() |
PLAM | 1978 | 3,800 (2008) | Manipur | Part of CorCom | ||
![]() |
PRA (Magway) | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak | PREPAK | 1977 | ~200 (2012) [64] | Mobile headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | |
![]() |
RSO | 1982 [65] | Unknown |
| |||
![]() |
SNA | 2016 | 1,000+ (2019) [67] | Mobile headquarters | Kachin State | Allies with the Shan State Army (RCSS) and the Tatmadaw | |
![]() |
SSPP/SSA | 1971 | 10,000 (2023) [68] | Wan Hai | Shan State |
|
Declared war on the junta on 20 February 2024, after previously accepting a ceasefire in 2012. |
![]() |
RCSS/SSA | 1996 | 8,000 (2024) [10] | Loi Tai Leng |
|
Split from the Mong Tai Army in 1995 | |
![]() |
LEM/LNDP | 2013 | 100 (2022) [69] | Myitkyina | Kachin State | Armed wing of the Lisu National Development Party |
|
![]() |
SAF | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() |
TNLA | 1992 | 10,000–15,000 (2023) [70] | Mobile headquarters | Shan State |
|
Governs the Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone |
![]() |
ULFA-I | 1979 | 200 (2024) | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) [27] | Part of the UNLFW |
| |
![]() |
UNLF | 1964 | 2,000 | Manipur | Part of CorCom |
| |
![]() |
UWSA | 1989 | 25,000 (2015) [73] | Pangkham | Shan State |
|
Governs the Wa Self-Administered Division ( Wa State) [74] |
![]() |
WNA | 1969 | 200 (1998) [75] | Homein | Shan State |
|
Signed a peace agreement with the government in August 1997 |
![]() |
ZRA-EC | 1997 | 3,000 (2016) [21] | Churachandpur | Armed wing of the Zomi Revolutionary Organisation |
![]() |
Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Disbanded | Strength | Headquarters | Location | Affiliations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front | ARIF | 1986 [77] | 1998 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | |||
![]() |
NDFB | 1986 | 2020 | 3,000+ | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) [27] | Part of the UNLFW |
| |
Communist Party of Arakan | CPA | 1962 | 2004 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine State | Split from the Red Flag Communist Party | |
![]() |
CPB | 1939 | 1989 | 6,000 [78] | Pangkham (until 1989) | Shan State | Armed wing dissolved in 1989 | |
![]() |
DKBA | 1994 | 2010 | <5,000 [21] | Mobile headquarters | Kayin State |
| |
God's Army | 1997 | 2006 | 500 [79] | Mobile headquarters | Myanmar–Thailand border | Surrendered to government forces in 2006 | ||
Mongko Region Defence Army | MRDA | 1995 [80] [81] | 2000 | Unknown | Mongko | Split from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army | ||
![]() |
MTA | 1985 | 1996 | 20,000 | Homein | Surrendered to the government in 1996 | ||
Monland Restoration Army | MRA | 2001 | 2012 | 100–300 [82] [83] | Sangkhlaburi | Armed wing of the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party | Surrendered to government forces in 2012 | |
![]() |
None | 1947 | 1954 | 2,000 | Mayu | Rakhine State | Majority of fighters surrendered to the government in the late 1950s and early 1960s | |
![]() |
RFCP | 1948 | 1978 | 500 [84] | Mobile headquarters | Shan State | Split from the Communist Party of Burma | |
Rohingya Liberation Party | RLP | 1972 | 1974 | 800–2,500 [85][ better source needed] | 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 | Armed wing of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) | ||
Rohingya Patriotic Front | RPF | 1974 | 1980s | 70 [85] | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine State | ||
![]() |
SSA | 1964 | 1976 | 1,500 | Mobile headquarters | Shan State |
| |
![]() |
SSNA | 1995 | 2005 | 8,000 (peak) [86] | Hsipaw | Shan State | Merged with the Shan State Army – South in 2005 | |
![]() |
SURA | 1960 | 1996 | Unknown | Homein |
| ||
![]() |
VBSW | 1999 | 2013 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Myanmar–Thailand border |
|
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.
{{
cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
link)
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.