• Burmese
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Junta Enlists Indian Insurgent Groups to Fight Resistance Forces in Western Myanmar

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
February 2, 2022
in Burma, Factiva, In Person, Interview, News
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
Junta Enlists Indian Insurgent Groups to Fight Resistance Forces in Western Myanmar

Zomi Revolutionary Organization/Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRO/ZRA) fighters who the CNF alleges are cooperating with the junta.

13.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Resistance groups in Chin State have long alleged that separatist insurgent groups from northeast India have been fighting for the Myanmar military in Chin State, as well as in neighboring Sagaing Region.

Meitei armed groups from the northeast Indian state of Manipur who operate inside Myanmar have also joined hands with the junta. Meanwhile, the Zomi Revolutionary Organization/Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRO/ZRA), which has been operating as a people’s militia as part of an agreement with the Indian government, has raided the bases of resistance groups in Chin State. In January, the ZRA clashed with the Chin National Front/ Chin National Army (CNF/CNA), an ethnic armed resistance organization fighting the military regime.

Local resistance groups have alleged that the ZRO/ZRA has reached an understanding with the junta. But the group has denied working for any army or any dictatorial government.

RelatedPosts

Anti-Coup Icon Explains Urgent Call for NUG Reform

Anti-Coup Icon Explains Urgent Call for NUG Reform

July 11, 2025
43
KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

July 11, 2025
232
Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

July 10, 2025
511

Chin State and adjacent Sagaing Region have been the most restive areas in Myanmar since last year’s February 1 coup. A combination of People’s Defense Forces (PDF) and ethnic armed organizations, particularly the CNA, are fighting against junta troops. The CNF/CNA signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with U Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government in October 2015. But since the formation of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), the CNF/CNA has joined hands with the NUG in the people’s revolution against the regime.

In January, the ZRA engaged in clashes with the combined forces of the CNA and local PDFs in Tedim Township, Chin State. The ZRA lost at least four fighters during the clash.

CNF spokesperson Salai Htet Ni recently talked to The Irrawaddy about the operations of militant Indian separatist groups in Myanmar.

Can you tell us about the fighting with the ZRO/ZRA in Tedim Township?

Regarding the ZRO/ZRA, we only knew that it was a group rebelling against the Indian government. They have a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government and operate as people’s militia in India. But they also operate in Myanmar, where they are known as the eastern ZRO.

Zomi tribes live in Tedim as well as India. As they operate as the eastern ZRO in Myanmar, they have always threatened us to make us withdraw from our strongholds. We have done nothing to them. But when we conducted clearance operations with local resistance groups [in Tedim] we encountered them, which resulted in a clash.

They have threatened us since 1995, 1996 to withdraw from our strongholds. At that time, they were not yet based on Myanmar side of the border. We made Tedim our base after reaching an agreement with the previous military junta.

But they [ZRO/ZRA] have become more active in 2020 and 2021. They have abducted some of our troops, detained them for a while and told them not to stay in Tedim. This has forced us to conduct clearance operations to protect our region and our troops.

We heard that the eastern ZRO formed a battalion on January 16. Will this lead to frequent clashes with them?

It largely depends on them. We are very sorry that the ZRA is conducting military operations together with the military regime. One of the reasons why we clashed with the ZRA is that, before the clash, we learned that they often visit Myanmar military units based in Tedim. They carried out two mine attacks on our CNF office, which was opened after we signed the NCA.

If they continue doing that, we will defend ourselves and repulse their attacks. Whether there are more clashes will depend on them.

Does the CNF plan to hold talks with the ZRA?  

It depends on their stance. But it will be very difficult for us to hold talks with them given the fact that they have apparently reached an understanding with the military regime. Under the current situation, we have no plans to hold talks with them. But we will be sad if people are harmed due to clashes. We will try our best to stand by the people.

We heard that there was a clash with Meitei armed groups in Tonzang Township in mid-January. Can you talk about that?

There are local resistance groups in Tonzang. We cooperate with them for state security. We won’t accept foreign armed groups growing [opium] poppy on our land. It is our national duty to prevent it. Some groups are doing drug business after reaching an understanding with the military regime. The clashes happened when we carried out security operations there.

Does the CNF believe that the junta is mobilizing separatist groups from India to crush resistance groups in Chin?

Yes, it is true. Earlier, the regime also did the same in Kale and Tamu [towns in Sagaing Region bordering India]. The military is involved in the drug trade. The ZRA has disrupted military training for resistance fighters in Tedim. They have destroyed resistance bases and detained or killed their leaders—acts similar to those committed by the regime. If they continue to do that, it will pose a threat to our people and the security of our state. We CNF and local resistance groups will work together and try our best to prevent that happening.

We will not just stand by and watch when the military is cooperating with rebel groups from another country. We will defend our people, and work to eliminate military dictatorship as desired by the people. We will prevent the junta from cooperating with foreign rebel groups as a national security duty.


You may also like these stories:

Defections and Victories Over Myanmar Junta This Year: NUG Defense Minister

Junta’s Coup Was Declaration of War Against the Myanmar People

Myanmar Civilian Govt Minister Dismisses ‘Death Threat’ Claim as Misinformation

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Chin National ArmyChin National FrontChin StateCNACNFCoupjuntamilitary regimeMyanmar MilitaryNational Unity Governmentnationwide ceasefire agreementNCANUGSagaing RegionTedim TownshipTonzang TownshipZomi Revolutionary ArmyZomi Revolutionary OrganisationZRAZRO
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.6k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.6k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes
Business

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes

by The Irrawaddy
June 4, 2024
27.7k

Monday’s arrests follow reports that Myanmar has become one of Thailand’s most lucrative markets for selling condos since the 2021...

Read moreDetails
China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar
Burma

China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar

by Yan Naing
July 15, 2022
34.8k

A Myanmar military-backed militia in Kachin State is protecting Chinese-run mines that produce coveted rare earth minerals used in hi-tech...

Read moreDetails
AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Almost 370 Myanmar Junta Officials Assassinated Since Coup

Almost 370 Myanmar Junta Officials Assassinated Since Coup

Is Myanmar Junta Leader's Presidential Dream About to Come True?

Is Myanmar Junta Leader's Presidential Dream About to Come True?

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
979
Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

2 days ago
978

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.