Michael Martin
Nowhere in Myanmar is the revolutionary struggle more complex and confounding than in Shan State. Several separate ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are operating in Shan State, each with their differing views of the current armed struggle against the military junta. Some of these EAOs have overlapping territorial claims that occasionally lead to fighting between their respective armies. In addition, Shan State is home to several ethnic communities that claim their right to autonomously govern their homeland. If there is any hope that the current civil war will lead to the reestablishment of a unified Myanmar, creative solutions will have to be found to resolve the conflicting claims in Shan State.
A Plethora of Ethnic Armed Organizations
More EAOs are active in Shan State than in any other part of Myanmar. The larger EAOs operating in Shan State include the Arakan Army (AA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Shan State Army–North (SSA-N), the Shan State Army–South (SSA-S), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the United Wa State Army (UWSA). The smaller EAOs reportedly active in Shan State include the Danu People’s Liberation Army, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force, the Kayan New Land Army, the Lahu Democratic Union, the National Democratic Alliance Army, the Pa-O National Army (PNA), the Pa-O National Liberation Army, and the Wa National Army. As the list reveals, some of the ethnic communities have two or more EAOs, often with differing views of the revolution and political goals.
Some of the EAOs support the armed struggle to overthrow the military junta; others have chosen to remain neutral with regard to the revolution; still others are siding with the junta. For example, the AA, KIA, MNDAA, and the TNLA formed the Northern Alliance to establish a united front against the junta. The UWSA, however, has chosen to remain neutral, provided that the various combatants respect the autonomy of its territorial control of eastern Shan State. Similarly, the SSA-S has chosen to abide by its ceasefire with the junta. The NDAA appears to have allied itself with the junta in return for partial control over a portion of eastern Shan State.
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