Backgrounder

17 Jun 2025

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)

The MNTJP/MNDAA is centered on and represents people of the Kokang ethnicity. Founded in 1989, it was the first ethnic splinter group from the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). The MNDAA was initially led by two brothers, Peng Jiasheng (Pheung Kya-shin) and Peng Jiafu (Pheung Kya-fu). After breaking away from the CPB, they signed a ceasefire agreement with the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).

Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA)

The Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) commander-in-chief, Maung Saungkha, has been an activist for freedom of expression since before the coup. He was a leading member of the committee for the revocation of Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law enacted on October 17, 2013. He also served as the executive director of Athan Myanmar.

People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) had been working on the establishment of an army even before the military staged the coup. Among those who led the establishment of the PLA were youth leaders of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions from Shwebo District, Sagaing Region. They embraced communism and prepared to re-establish an armed resistance based on communist ideology since early 2017.

United League of Arakan (ULA)

The AA sent representatives to participate in the negotiations to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) held under President Thein Sein. However, the Myanmar military stated that because the AA is a newly formed group that arose during the new government's term, it will only be permitted to participate in the peace process after disarmament.