People’s Defense Army (Mandalay) (MDY-PDF)

Alliances

Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA)

Political Organization

National Unity Government (NUG)

History in Brief

Established – February 25, 2021

Headquarters – TNLA-controlled area of ​​ northern Shan State

Area of Operation – Unknown after reforming as a mobile division. 

Estimated strength – Unknown

Leader – Unknown

Some individuals who had participated in peaceful protest groups in Mandalay that opposed the coup later became members of the MDY-PDF. These group members then decided to engage in armed resistance after the State Administration Council’s (SAC) military troops and police opened fire and violently suppressed the protest groups on February 25, 2021. When the SAC started to arrest protest leaders in Mandalay, elected representatives from the National League for Democracy (NLD) party that won the 2020 general election, as well as activists, fled to ethnic territories controlled by armed organizations. Some of these elected representatives were among the leaders who formed an armed force to represent Mandalay. In early March 2021, a group of protesters, CDM staff, and students gathered to form the Mandalay Special Task Force (MSTF) and began an urban guerrilla movement. The MSTF is one of many urban guerrilla forces that emerged in Mandalay after the military coup. MSTF members ran operations in Mandalay for about four months, linking with ethnic armed organizations based in northern and southern Myanmar, receiving military training and ammunition.

On May 10, 2021, representatives of the MSTF officially contacted the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). In June 2021, while receiving military training from the TNLA, it was decided to transform the MSTF from an urban guerrilla force into a resistance force. The MSTF was then renamed the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay)/MDY-PDF. The MDY-PDF has established bases in the TNLA’s active areas of control while receiving military training, as such towns in Mandalay Region and the northern Shan State, where the TNLA operates, are strategically located. As Mandalay is an urban area with a strong SAC presence, it is difficult for resistance forces to operate urban bases; thus, the MDY-PDF chose to establish their bases in TNLA territory. To become a permanent armed force, the MDY-PDF has continued to build up its forces in the northern Shan State territory controlled by the TNLA. As such, the TNLA has become one of the largest allied forces backing the MDY-PDF.

The MDY-PDF’s earliest attack on the SAC was on February 14, 2022, when they attacked SAC’s military camp near Gway Pin village on the Mandalay-Mogok motorway. They launched “Operation Waso” in September 2022, “Operation Raza Naing” which targeted the chief minister’s convoy in Mandalay on March 24, 2023, “Operation Thapyaynyo” in April, and “Operation Kanaung” in July in collaboration with the TNLA. When the TLNA participated in Operation 1027 of the Three Brotherhood Alliance in October, the MDY-PDF has also been running “Operation Taungthaman” in support of Operation 1027. During “Operation Taungthaman,” the MDY-PDF notably captured SAC military camps in Thanbo Village, Nawnghkio Township, near Pyinoolwin on January 3, 2024, in collaboration with the TNLA. On April 15, 2024 they also captured SAC military camps in Thayetkone Village, also in Nawnghkio Township. On April 14, 2024, the MDY-PDF launched an attack on the Defense Service Academy, the Defense Service Technological Academy, and the SAC Administrative Office, coinciding with the SAC Chairperson’s visit to Pyinoolwin. Some artillery shells landed in residential areas and an orthopedic hospital, killing two monks and two civilians and injuring 14 others, including children. The two sides accused one another of the damage resulting from the exchange of artillery fire.

During the second wave of Operation 1027, MDY-PDF managed to capture territories including Mogok, Thabeikkyin, Singu, and parts of Madaya and Patheingyi townships. However, due to the State Security and Peace Commission – SSPC’s continuous counter-offensives, they lost Thabeikkyin and Naungcho in July 2025. In October 2025, due to a ceasefire between TNLA and the SSPC mediated by China, Mogok and Momeik were returned to the military council. Additionally, the SSPC regained control of Madaya in November 2025 and Singu in December. Thus, MDY-PDF lost nearly all the territories it had captured over almost two and a half years.

Furthermore, in November 2025, MDY-PDF Central Committee member and Head of the Military Affairs Department, Ko Mon Dine, and Central Committee member and Head of the Fundraising Department, Ko Naing Gyi, were relieved of their duties and arrested on charges of embezzlement of funds.

Although MDY-PDF was under the Chain of Command (CoC) of the National Unity Government’s (NUG) Ministry of Defense, due to its distance from the command areas of the NUG’s established military regions, it operated with a leadership style that had independent autonomy in certain parts and operations. However, after losing the territories captured following the second wave of Operation 1027, MDY-PDF continues to fight as a mobile division under the command of the NUG’s Military Headquarters.

Objectives and Goals

The political position, mission, and objectives of the MDY-PDF are as follows:

Political position

• To work with political and military allies who share the same goal of toppling the military dictatorship
• To aim to build a people’s army that protects the people and promotes the prosperity of the people
• To strive for the emergence of a federal democratic system that is full of freedom, equality, and justice

Political mission

• To establish a new and true federal democratic state that guarantees peace and prosperity

Military Objectives

• To topple the military dictatorship
• To reclaim SAC territories that are currently under forced rule
• To establish and strengthen the people’s territories based on military, advocacy, and administrative capabilities

Leaders and Central Committee Members 

The battalions and units of MDY-PDF are directly commanded by the Military Operations Command (MOC), which holds the highest authority within the entire organization. The Central Working Committee (CWC) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of policies set by the MOC, ensuring the vitality of the dual CoC, and supervising military building processes. Below the CWC are working committees composed of representatives from various battalions, units, and military departments. These working committees report to the CWC, the CWC reports to the MOC, and the MOC reports to the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Defense (MOD). Currently, apart from MOC members Maung Phyo Wai and Dr. Soe Thura Zaw, and Information and Public Relations Officer Ko Osmond, other leaders have not been disclosed.

Ceasefires and Peace Process Participation

None

Organization Participation

None

Political and Military Stance since the Coup

The group decided to launch an armed uprising within a month of the SAC’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters following the coup. They then formed a fighting force led by strike committees, CDM staff, and students with the help of allied ethnic armed organizations. Their ultimate political mission is the establishment of a federal democratic state.

Liaison Offices

None

Brigades

The Mandalay People’s Defense Force stands under the command of the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) and is organized into seven battalions: Battalion 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, and 1207.

MDY-PDF announced on December 30, 2024, that it will expand and form a new brigade in Sagaing Region. Details regarding the number of battalions under this newly expanded brigade have not yet been released.

MDY-PDF stated that a new brigade will be formed in Sagaing Region to escalate operations, as its controlled territories are geopolitically contiguous with parts of Sagaing Region.

MDY-PDF announced that after losing the territories captured following the second wave of Operation 1027, they will continue to fight as a mobile division under the command of the NUG’s Military Headquarters.

Contact Information

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Voice-of-Mandalay-PDF-100084602090156/?locale=cs_CZ

Last Updated – Feb 2026