# List of ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar

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.

## Terminology

The term "ethnic armed organisation" (Burmese: တိုင်းရင်းသား လက်နက်ကိုင် အဖွဲ့အစည်း) emerged in Myanmar during the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement negotiations from 2013 to 2015. 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:
* claim to represent an ethnic identity
* aim to garner mutual recognition from other ethnic armed organisations through alliances and coalitions
* have an armed wing, and often a separate political wing

## Active

| Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Strength | Headquarters | Location | Affiliations | Notes |
| Arakan Army | AA | 2009 | 45,000+ | Laiza | Chin StateKachin StateRakhine StateShan StateBangladesh–Myanmar borderIndia–Myanmar border | Armed wing of the United League of ArakanPart of the Three Brotherhood AlliancePart of the Northern AlliancePart of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | |
| Arakan Army (Kayin State) | AA (Kayin) | 2010 | 350 (2024) | Mobile headquarters | Kayin State | Armed wing of the Arakan National CouncilPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council | |
| All Burma Students' Democratic Front | ABSDF | 1988 | 600 (2016) | Manerplaw (until 1995) | Myanmar–Thailand borderIndia–Myanmar borderChina–Myanmar border | | Joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Arakan Liberation Army | ALA | 1968 | 100 (2024) | Sittwe | Kayin StateRakhine State | Armed wing of the Arakan Liberation Party | Close allies with the Karen National UnionJoined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'étatSeveral factions are allied to the Tatmawdaw |
| Arakan Rohingya Army | ARA | 2020 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine StateBangladesh–Myanmar border | | |
| Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army | ARSA | 2013 | ~200 (2018) | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine StateBangladesh–Myanmar border | | Previously known as Harakah al-YaqinAccused of being allied to the Tatmadaw |
| Bamar People's Liberation Army | BPLA | 2021 | 1,000+ | Mobile headquarters | Eastern Myanmar | | Co-founded by activist Maung Saungkha |
| Chin National Army | CNA | 1988 | 1,500+ (2024) | Camp Victoria | Chin State | Armed wing of the Chin National FrontPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) | Joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Chin National Defence Force | CNDF | 2021 | Unknown | Falam | Chin State | Armed wing of the Chin National Organisation | |
| Chinland Defense Force | CDF | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Chin StateMagway RegionSagaing RegionIndia–Myanmar border | | |
| Danu People's Liberation Army | DPLA | 2022 | ~500 | Mobile headquarters | Shan State | Armed wing of the Danu People's Liberation Front | |
| Democratic Karen Benevolent Army | DKBA/DKBA-5 | 2010 | 2,000+ (2024) | Sonesee Myaing | Myawaddy TownshipKayin State | Armed wing of the Klohtoobaw Karen Organization | Also known as the Democratic Karen Benevolent ArmySplit from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in 2010Joined peace talks with Tatmadaw, leading the Kaw Thoo Lei Army to further split from the DKBA-5 in April 2022 to fight the Tatmadaw |
| Kachin Defense Army | KDA | 1991 | 2,850 (2020) | Kawnghka | Shan State | | Originated as the Kachin Independence Army's 4th brigadeReorganised into a pro-Tatmadaw militia in 2010 |
| Kachin Independence Army | KIA | 1961 | 20,000 (2018) | LaizaPajau (until 2005) | Kachin State, northern Shan State | Armed wing of the Kachin Independence OrganisationPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)Part of the Northern AlliancePart of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | Holds and governs territory in Kachin State |
| Kamtapur Liberation Organisation | KLO | 1995 | Unknown | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) | Sagaing RegionIndia-Myanmar border | Part of the UNLFW | Based in India and operates in Assam and West Bengal |
| Karen National Army | KNA | 2024 | 7,000+ | Shwe Kokko | Kayin State | | Formerly the Karen Border Guard ForceMade up of former soldiers from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and Karen Peace ForceAllied to the junta |
| Karen National Defence Organisation | KNDO | 1947 | Unknown | Lay WahManerplaw (until 1995) | Kayah StateKayin State | Affiliate of the Karen National Union | Signed ceasefires with the government in 2012 and 2015Broke its commitment to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Karen National Liberation Army | KNLA | 1949 | 15,000 (2021) | Lay WahManerplaw (until 1995) | Kayah StateKayin StateTanintharyi Region | Armed wing of the Karen National UnionPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) | Broke its commitment to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Karenni Army | KA | 1949 | 1,500 (2012) | Nya Moe | Kayah State | Armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive PartyPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) | Signed ceasefires with the government in 2005 and 2012Resumed hostilities in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Karenni National People's Liberation Front | KNPLF | 1978 | 2,000 | Pankan | Kayah State | | Split from the Karenni ArmySigned ceasefire in 1989 and transformed into a BGF in 2009Defected to anti-junta forces in June 2023 |
| Karenni Nationalities Defence Force | KNDF | 2021 | 7,000+ | Mobile headquarters | Kayah StateShan StateKayin StateMyanmar–Thailand border | | |
| Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup | KYKL | 1994 | Unknown | Mobile Headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | Based in India and operates in ManipurHas bases in and trained in MyanmarUnofficially allied with the Tatmadaw |
| Kangleipak Communist Party | KCP | 1980 | ~112 (2012) | Mobile Headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | Based in India and operates in ManipurHas bases in and trained in MyanmarUnofficially allied with the Tatmadaw |
| Kayan New Land Army | KNLP/A | 1964 | 200–300 | Pekon | Kayah StateSouthern Shan State | Armed wing of the Kayan New Land Party | Signed a ceasefire agreement with the Tatmadaw in 1994Despite aiding resistance groups, the KNLP/A is allied to the Tatmadaw |
| Kawthoolei Army | KTLA | 2022 | Unknown | | Kayin State | | Broke away from the Karen National Union July 2022 |
| KNU/KNLA Peace Council | KPC | 2007 | 500+ (2024) | To-kawko | Kayin State | Not affiliated with the KNU or KNLA, despite its name | |
| Kuki National Army | KNA(B) | 1988 | 1200+ (2024) | Mobile headquarters | Chin StateSagaing Region | Armed wing of the Kuki National Organisation | Based in India and operates in Manipur |
| Kuki-Chin National Army | KCNA | 2017 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Chin StateRakhine State | Armed wing of the Kuki-Chin National Front | Active in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in BangladeshHeadquartered and trained in Myanmar |
| Lahu Democratic Union | LDU | 1973 | 1,500 (2024) | Loi Lan | Shan State | | Signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2018, along with the Mon National Liberation ArmyAnti-NCA faction joined the CRPH / NUG after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Mon National Liberation Army | MNLA | 1958 | 1,000+ (2024) | Ye Chaung Phya | Mon StateTanintharyi RegionKayin State | Armed wing of the New Mon State Party | Signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2018, along with the Lahu Democratic Union |
| Mon National Liberation Army (Anti-Military Dictatorship) | MNLA-AMD | 2024 | 300 | Unknown | Mon State | Armed wing of the New Mon State Party (Anti-Military Dictatorship) | Split from MNLA on 14 February 2024Joined anti-junta forces after leaving the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement |
| Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army | MNDAA | 1989 | 6,000 | Mobile headquarters | Shan State (Kokang) | Armed wing of the Myanmar National Truth and Justice PartyPart of the Three Brotherhood AlliancePart of the Northern AlliancePart of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | Split from the Communist Party of Burma after its dissolutionGoverns the Kokang Self-Administered Zone and Shan State Special Region 1 |
| Burma National Revolutionary Army | MRDA | 2022 | 1,000+ | Pale | Sagaing Region | | Formerly known as the Myanmar Royal Dragon Army |
| National Democratic Alliance Army | NDAA | 1989 | 3,000–4,000 (2016) | Mong La | Shan State | Part of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | Split from the Communist Party of Burma after its dissolution |
| National Liberation Army | NLA | 2023 | Unknown | Tamu Township | Sagaing Region (Tamu Township) | | Formerly the PDF Tamu Battalion 3 |
| Naga Army | NSCN-KNSCN-K-AMNSCN-K-YANSCN-IM | 1980 | <500 (2016) | Taga, Sagaing (Myanmar) (until 2019)Camp Hebron, Peren District, Nagaland (India) | Sagaing Region (Naga Self-Administered Zone)India–Myanmar border | Part of the UNLFW | Based in India and operates primarily in Northeast IndiaSigned a ceasefire agreement with India in 2001 and Myanmar in 2012Consists of several factions |
| New Democratic Army – Kachin | NDA-KKBGF | 1989 | 700 (peak) | Pangwa | Kachin State | | Signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 1989 and transformed into a Border Guard Forces in 2009 |
| Pa-O National Army | PNA | 1949 | 4,000 (2023) | Taunggyi | Shan State | Armed wing of the Pa-O National Organisation | Governs the Pa-O Self-Administered ZoneSigned a ceasefire with the government in 1991 and disbanded in 2009Reestablished after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état |
| Pa-O National Liberation Army | PNLA | 2009 | 1,000+ (2024) | Camp Laybwer | Shan StateMyanmar–Thailand border | Armed wing of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation | Split into a pro-peace talk and anti-junta faction in January 2024 |
| People's Defence Force | PDF | 2021 | 100,000 (2024 est.) | | | Armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG) | Formed in May 2021 after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'étatConsists of several local resistance groups and other newly-formed anti-junta ethnic militias, such as the Karenni People's Defence Force and the Chinland Defence Force |
| People's Defence Force (Kalay) | PDF (Kalay) | 2021 | Unknown | Kalay | Sagaing Region | Part of the People's Defence Force | |
| People's Liberation Army | 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. |
| People's Liberation Army of Manipur | PLAM | 1978 | 3,800 (2008) | Manipur | Sagaing RegionChin State | Part of CorCom | Based in India and operates in ManipurUnofficially allied with the Tatmadaw |
| People's Revolution Alliance (Magway) | PRA (Magway) | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Magway RegionIndia–Myanmar border | | |
| People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak | PREPAK | 1977 | ~200 (2012) | Mobile headquarters | Sagaing Region | Part of CorCom | Based in India and operates in ManipurHas bases in and trained in MyanmarUnofficially allied with the Tatmadaw |
| Rohingya Islami Mahaz | RIM | 2020 | Unknown | | Rakhine StateBangladesh–Myanmar border | | |
| Rohingya Solidarity Organisation | RSO | 1982 | Unknown | | Rakhine StateBangladesh–Myanmar border | | Mainly active in the 1990s, militarily defunct by 1998Alleged by the Tatmadaw to have had connections with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in the early 2000sReestablished after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'étatAccused of being allied to the Tatmadaw |
| Shanni Nationalities Army | SNA | 2016 | 1,000+ (2019) | Mobile headquarters | Kachin State | | Allies with the Shan State Army (RCSS) and the Tatmadaw |
| Shan State Army (SSPP) | SSPP/SSA | 1971 | 10,000 (2023) | Wan Hai | Shan State | Armed wing of the Shan State Progress PartyPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)Part of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | Signed ceasefire with Tatmadaw |
| Shan State Army (RCSS) | RCSS/SSA | 1996 | 8,000 (2024) | Loi Tai Leng | Shan StateMyanmar–Thailand border | Armed wing of the Restoration Council of Shan StatePart of the Shan State Congress | Split from the Mong Tai Army in 1995 |
| Wuyang People's Militia | LEM/LNDP | 2013 | 100 (2022) | Myitkyina | Kachin State | Armed wing of the Lisu National Development Party | Allied with the Tatmadaw"People's Militia" created by the LNDPMilitia leader U Shwe Min was killed 7 March, 2024 |
| Student Armed Force | SAF | 2021 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | | |
| Ta'ang National Liberation Army | TNLA | 1992 | 8,000-10,000 (2024) | Mobile headquarters | Shan State | Part of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)Part of the Three Brotherhood AlliancePart of the Northern AlliancePart of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | Governs the Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone |
| United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent | ULFA-I | 1979 | 200 (2024) | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) | Sagaing RegionIndia-Myanmar borderChina-Myanmar border | Part of the UNLFW | Based in India and operates in AssamPro-truce faction disbanded in 2023 after signing a peace agreement with the Indian government |
| United National Liberation Front | UNLF | 1964 | 2,000 | Manipur | Chin StateSagaing RegionIndia–Myanmar border | Part of CorCom | Based in India and operated in ManipurSigned ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in 2023 |
| United Wa State Army | UWSA | 1989 | 25,000 (2015) | Pangkham | Shan State | Armed wing of the United Wa State PartyPart of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee | Governs the Wa Self-Administered Division (Wa State) |
| Wa National Army | WNA | 1969 | 200 (1998) | Homein | Shan State | Armed wing of the Wa National OrganisationPart of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) | Signed a peace agreement with the government in August 1997 |
| Zomi Revolutionary Army | ZRA-EC | 1997 | 130 (2016) | Churachandpur | Chin StateIndia–Myanmar border | Armed wing of the Zomi Revolutionary Organisation | Based in India and operates in Manipur and MizoramSigned a ceasefire with India in 2005Accused of being allied with the Tatmadaw |

## Defunct

| Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Disbanded | Strength | Headquarters | Location | Affiliations | Notes |
| Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front | ARIF | 1986 | 1998 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine StateBangladesh–Myanmar border | | |
| National Democratic Front of Boroland | NDFB | 1986 | 2020 | 3,000+ | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) | Sagaing RegionIndia–Myanmar border | Part of the UNLFW | Based in India and operated in Assam and Arunachal PradeshAfter splitting into several factions, disbanded in 2020 after signing a peace agreement with the Indian government |
| Communist Party of Arakan | CPA | 1962 | 2004 | Unknown | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine State | | Split from the Red Flag Communist Party |
| Communist Party of Burma | CPB | 1939 | 1989 | 6,000 | Pangkham (until 1989) | Shan State | | Armed wing dissolved in 1989 |
| Democratic Karen Buddhist Army | DKBA | 1994 | 2010 | <5,000 | Mobile headquarters | Kayin State | | Signed a ceasefire agreement shortly after its formation in 1994 and disbanded in 2010Split from the Karen National Union |
| God's Army | | 1997 | 2006 | 500 | Mobile headquarters | Myanmar–Thailand border | | Surrendered to government forces in 2006 |
| Mongko Region Defence Army | MRDA | 1995 | 2000 | Unknown | Mongko | Shan StateChina–Myanmar border | | Split from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army |
| Mong Tai Army | MTA | 1985 | 1996 | 20,000 | Homein | Shan StateMyanmar–Thailand border | | Surrendered to the government in 1996 |
| Monland Restoration Army | MRA | 2001 | 2012 | 100–300 | Sangkhlaburi | Mon StateTanintharyi Region | Armed wing of the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party | Surrendered to government forces in 2012 |
| Mujahideen | None | 1947 | 1954 | 2,000 | Mayu | Rakhine State | | Majority of fighters surrendered to the government in the late 1950s and early 1960s |
| Red Flag Communist Party | RFCP | 1948 | 1978 | 500 | Mobile headquarters | Shan State | | Split from the Communist Party of Burma |
| Rohingya Liberation Party | RLP | 1972 | 1974 | 800–2,500 | 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 StateBangladesh–Myanmar border | Armed wing of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) | |
| Rohingya Patriotic Front | RPF | 1974 | 1980s | 70 | Mobile headquarters | Rakhine State | | |
| Shan State Army | SSA | 1964 | 1976 | 1,500 | Mobile headquarters | Shan State | | Formed the basis for the Shan State Army – North and Shan State Army – SouthAlso fought other insurgent groups such as the Communist Party of Burma |
| Shan State National Army | SSNA | 1995 | 2005 | 8,000 (peak) | Hsipaw | Shan State | | Merged with the Shan State Army – South in 2005 |
| Shan United Revolutionary Army | SURA | 1960 | 1996 | Unknown | Homein | Shan StateMyanmar–Thailand border | | Majority of its members surrendered to the government in 1996800 insurgents under the command of Yawd Serk would go on to form the Shan State Army – South |
| 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 2013Gained notoriety in the October 1999 siege of the Burmese consulate in Bangkok, Thailand |

## Coalitions

| Name | Abbreviation | Founded | Headquarters | Members | Notes |
| Federal Union Army | FUA | 2011 | Chiang Mai | Arakan ArmyKarenni ArmyLahu Democratic UnionNew Mon State PartyShan State Army (SSPP) | Armed wing of the United Nationalities Federal Council |
| Northern Alliance | NA-B | 2016 | Laiza | Arakan ArmyKachin Independence ArmyMyanmar National Democratic Alliance ArmyTa'ang National Liberation Army | All four members of the Northern Alliance are also members of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee. |
| Three Brotherhood Alliance | 3BA | 2019 | | Arakan ArmyMyanmar National Democratic Alliance ArmyTa'ang National Liberation Army | |
| Chinland Council | CC | 2023 | Camp Victoria | Chin National ArmyChinland Defense Force-HakhaChinland Defense Force-PaletwaChinland Defense Force-Matupi (Brigade 2)Chinland Defense Force-ThantlangChinland Defense Force-MaraChinland Defense Force-ZanniatChinland Defense Force-ZotungChinland Defense Force-ZopheiChinland Defense Force-LautuChinland Defense Force-SenthangChinland Defense Force-TonzangChinland Defense Force-HualngoramChinland Defense Force-SizangChinland Defense Force-KKGChinland Defense Force-DaaiAsho Chin-Defense Force | Established as the army and governing body of the State of Chinland |
| Chin Brotherhood Alliance | CBA | 2023 | | Chin National Defence ForceChinland Defense Force-KanpetletChinland Defense Force-Matupi (Brigade 1)Chinland Defense Force-MindatMaraland Defence ForceZoland Defence Force | Political and military alliance of several Chin resistance groups created out of protest against the establishment of the State of Chinland |
| United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia | UNLFW | 2015 | Taga, Sagaing (until 2019) | United Liberation Front of Asom-IndependentNational Socialist Council of Nagaland-KhaplangKamtapur Liberation OrganisationNational Democratic Front of Boroland | Alliance of several Northeast India separatist groups active in Myanmar |
| Coordination Committee | CorCom | 2011 | | Kangleipak Communist PartyKanglei Yawol Kanna LupPeople's Revolutionary Party of KangleipakPeople's Liberation Army of ManipurUnited National Liberation Front | Alliance of several majority-Meitei separatist groups active in Northeast India with bases in Myanmar |
| 4K Coalition | | 2023 | | Karen National Liberation ArmyKarenni ArmyKarenni National People's Liberation FrontKarenni Nationalities Defence Force | Alliance of ethnic Karen and Karenni rebel organisations |
| 7 EAO Alliance | | 2024 | | Restoration Council of Shan StateNew Mon State PartyArakan Liberation PartyPa-O National Liberation OrganisationLahu Democratic UnionDemocratic Karen Benevolent ArmyKNU/KNLA Peace Council | Alliance of signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) |