Ethnic Issues

Once a peaceful enclave where southern Shan State meets Mandalay, the Ywangan area is seeing a growing campaign of killings and destruction by the regime.

The multi-ethnic town has seen several standoffs between Kachin and Ta’ang armed organizations who are jostling for territory in the region after driving the junta out.

The United Wa State Army’s AGM has agreed to take advantage of cross-border infrastructure projects being proposed by Beijing.

The Irrawaddy looks at two key ethnic armies that are fighting to prop up the regime—one in southern Shan and the other in Sagaing Region.

In his New Year’s address, Peng Daxun dropped his previous anti-junta rhetoric and focused on working with China to boost stability and development in the Kokang region.

Karenni Nationalities Defence Force chairman Khun Bedu tells The Irrawaddy that victory feels within his grasp this year.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army is strengthening its grip on the northern Shan State capital amid reports that Beijing is demanding a withdrawal.  

The move is aimed at pressuring the ethnic armed group to leave Lashio, sources said.

The UWSA assumed control of Hopang and Panlong towns in northern Shan State after the Brotherhood Alliance seized them from the junta earlier this year.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has banned its members from joining international peace efforts or speaking to the media, allegedly at Beijing’s command.