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Internal conflict in Burma
Date 1948 – present Location Burma Status Conflict ongoing Insurgency since 1948 Sporadic ethnic uprisings in certain states Civil War in Shan and Kachin States Military dissolves official rule Numerous truces and ceasefires signed with various groups Regime changes to form the Union Solidarity and Development Party
Belligerents
Union government (1948–1962) Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League Military government (since 1962) Burma Socialist Programme Party (1962–1988) State Peace and Development Council (1988-2011) Union Solidarity and Development Party (since 2011) Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (1994–2010) Border clashes: People's Republic of China	Anti-government factions: Karen National Union (since 1949) Karen National Liberation Army Mujahideen[1] Communist Party of Burma (1948–1988) Red flags Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (since 1989) Shan State Army (since 1988) Shan State Army – South Shan State Army – North Wa National Army (1975-1988) United Wa State Party (since 1988) United Wa State Army Kachin Independence Organisation (since 1961) Kachin Independence Army Pa-O National Organization (1949-1991) Republic of China (1948-1962) God's Army (1997-2006) Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (since 2010) All Burma Students' Democratic Front (Since 1980s-) Shan State Volunteer Force (1967-1980) Supported by:  Thailand [2]  United States [3] People's Republic of China[4]
Commanders and leaders
Sao Shwe Thaik (1948-1952) U Nu (1952–1957) Win Maung (1957-1962) Ne Win (1962–1988) Saw Maung (1988–1992) Than Shwe (1992–2010) Thein Sein (since 2010)	Bo Mya (1976-2000) Pado Phan (2000-2010) Naw Zipporah Sein (since 2011) Thein Pe Myint (1948-52) Thakin Than Tun (1952-68) Yang Mao-liang Wei Hsueh-kang Johnny and Luther Htoo Li Mi (1960-1961) Bo Nat Khann Mway (DKBA, since 2008) Lo Hsing Han (SSVF, 1967-1973)
Strength
43,000 (1951)[4] 492,000	:6,000-7,000[5] 4,000+ (1951)[4] :1,500-2,000 (1998)[6] :6,000-7,000[5] :30,000 :8,000 [7] Karenni Army 800-1,500[5] Chin National Front 200-300[5] Arakan Army 400-500[8] Arakan Liberation Army apx. 100 [5] :6,000 (1951)[4] :14,000 Unknown numbers of various other factions
Casualties and losses
between 5,000 and 10,000 killed (June 2011- September 2012)[9][10][11]	:Over 700 killed (June 2011- September 2012)[9]
210,000 killed (1948-2006)[12] Over 10,000 civilians killed in Rakhine State (in 2012)[13]

The internal conflict in Burma is the world's longest-running civil war and began shortly after the country's attainment of independence from the United Kingdom (U.K.) in 1948;^[14] successive central governments of Burma (or Myanmar) have fought a myriad of ethnic and political rebellions. Some of the earliest insurgencies were instigated by Burmese-dominated "multi-colored" left-wing groups and the Karen National Union (KNU); the KNU fought to create an independent Karen state from a large section of Lower Burma (or Outer Myanmar). Other ethnic rebellions started in the early 1960s after the central government refused to consider a federal government structure. By the early 1980s, politically oriented armed insurgencies had largely withered away, while ethnic-based insurgencies continued.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2013, the Karen and Shan (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army) fight against the government in the east of the country, while small armed groups of the Rohingya people are active in the western part of the country (the Rohingya use refugee camps in Bangladesh as bases);^{[citation needed]} sporadic conflicts also occur in other regions. Due to internal conflict, around 160,000 Burmese refugees live in Thailand, while many more Burmese live in other countries in the region.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2007, around 25 different ethnic groups have signed ceasefire agreements with the military government.^[15]

Background [edit]

Burma gained its independence from the U.K. in 1948. Immediately afterwards, communist rebels began an uprising against the new government, followed by the initiation of uprisings and ethnic conflicts in various provinces that continued into 1949. Also, the Karen, led predominantly by the Christian KNU, began fighting for an autonomous Karen state "Kawthoolei" in the eastern part of the country. The overall situation in Burma degenerated following the instatement of Buddhism as the country's official religion, and questions regarding the rights of the Muslim Rohingya, Christian Karen, Chin, Kachin and other peoples under federalism were not sufficiently addressed; the rights issue was then exacerbated by the introduction of clauses into the constitution, whereby nominal rights of secession were granted to certain groups.^{[16][dead link]}

Due to a division within the ruling party, the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) formed the transitional military government in Burma from 1958 to 1960. Then, the 1962 Burmese coup d'état resulted in the instatement of Ne Win as the country's leader, followed by widespread human rights violations in frontier areas.^{[citation needed]}

Main fronts [edit]

Kachin State [edit]

The Kachin ethnic group of Northern Burma have fought a political struggle against the central government for regional autonomy since 1961. Ceasefires agreements have been signed by the Kachin Independence Army and the government, but fighting has always resumed. In 2012 fighting between the KIA and the government claimed at least 250 lives.^[10][11]

Kayah State [edit]

The aim of the Karenni Army is to secure the independence of the Karenni State (Kayah State).^[17] According to a pro-Karenni Army website, the group's grievances include: "Exploitation and rapid depletion of the natural resources, forced sale of agricultural products, extortion, forced labour, forced relocation of whole villages and crops, destruction of houses, planting of mines around crops and villages, torture, rape, extra-judicial killings, burning of villages, expropriation of food supplies and livestock, arrest without charge, false accusations and exploitation of the poor." ^[17] The Karenni Army is currently led by General Bee Htoo^[17] and consists of between 800 and 1,500 soldiers.^[5]

Kayin State [edit]

The Karen people is one of Burma's largest ethnic minority populations and has struggled for independence since 1949. The initial aim of the KNU was independence, but since 1976 the people has called for a federal system rather than an independent Karen state. Burma's government has fought countless battles with Karen groups and the conflict has resulted in a high number of both deaths and refugees; refugees have fled to Western Thailand and have mainly settled around the Tak Province. The government has pursued a "scorched earth" policy in the region, and has attempted to depopulate Karen communities and repopulate these areas with the Bamar people.^{[citation needed]}

Rakhine State [edit]

An internal conflict commenced in the Rakhine State in 1947 and, as of 2012, this conflict continues. The political rights of the Rohingya has been the underlying issue in this conflict and violence, such as the 2012 Rakhine State riots, has periodically occurred.

Shan State [edit]

Shan State is the country's largest state and is the home of several ethnic groups, such as the majority Shan people—the Shan has fought for autonomy since the early 1960s. These ethnic groups have been associated with the illegal drug trade, in relation to the financing of their operations, and Shan State forms one corner of the 'Golden Triangle'. Fighting between the government and Shan rebels erupted in 2012 after a brief period of ceasefire that had been achieved with an agreement.^[18] The Shan State Army-South, the United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Army are three of the rebel groups in Shan State.

Foreign support [edit]

Burma's insurgencies have been supported or used by foreign states: the Karen received support from the United Kingdom (UK); along the shared border, East Pakistan (and then Bangladesh) assisted the Muslim Rohingyas, with additional Middle Eastern backing; the People's Republic of China assisted the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) (later the United Wa State Army), and the Naga and Kachin Independence Army ; the United States (U.S.) supported the Kuomintang; and Thailand assisted a wide variety of rebel groups by essentially creating buffer states or zones.^[1]

Thai involvement [edit]

Thailand has been the major contributor of supplies and arms since the crisis began.^{[citation needed]} Thai leaders have a deep distrust for the Burmese, who have frequently invaded Thailand in past centuries.^{[2][dead link]} Weapons and ammunition from Thailand have allowed insurgent groups to remain active in the ongoing war with the Burmese army.^[2]

Thailand's support was evident during the 1999 Burmese Embassy Siege. While the United Nations, together with the United States (US) and Burmese governments, referred to the siege as an 'act of terrorism', the Thai government responded differently, stating: "the captors are students working for democracy, not terrorists".^[19]

8888 Uprising [edit]

On 8 August 1988, student demonstrations that included ochre-robed monks, young children, housewives and doctors spread throughout Burma, as the country's citizens protested against the regime.^[20] The uprising ended on 18 September 1988 after a military coup was enacted by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Authorities in Myanmar stated that around 350 people were killed^[21][22] during the uprising and a high number of deaths have been attributed to the military.^[23][24][25] As a result of the uprising the new government agreed to sign separate peace treaties with certain insurgent groups.

During the 8888 uprising, Aung San Suu Kyi emerged as a national icon. The military junta arranged an election in 1990 and San Suu Kyi's party the National League for Democracy (NLD) won. However, the military junta refused to recognise the results and instead placed San Suu Kyi under house arrest.

2005–2012 [edit]

In November 2005, the military junta began transferring the government away from Yangon to a location near Kyatpyay, just outside Pyinmana, for the purpose of designating a new capital city. On Armed Forces Day (27 March 2006), the capital was officially named Naypyidaw Myodaw ("Royal City of the Seat of Kings"), but is commonly called Naypyidaw.^{[citation needed]}

Since 2006, a Burmese army offensive has been enacted against the KNU in Karen State, and has resulted in the displacement of a high number of people. One estimate has identified approximately half a million people who have been displaced within eastern Burma due to armed conflict and the forcible relocation of villages.^{[26][dead link]}

In August 2007, approximately 160,000 Burmese refugees fled to the Thai boundary provinces of Chiang Mai and Ratchaburi and refugee camps have been established; the camps are mostly located near the Burma–Thailand border. Approximately 62 percent of the refugee population consists of Karen people. Humanitarian organizations have been formed to assist and support the refugees.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, the Burmese army initiated a military operation called "Zwe Man Hein" (ဇွဲမန်ဟိန်း) to combat the rebel groups in Shan State.^[27] During the operation, the Burmese army captured the territory of the National Democratic Alliance Army and Shan State Army (North), with the Shan State Army involved in most of the violent conflict. The offensive was a response from the Burmese army, as the rebel groups refused to accept Burma's 'One Nation One Army' policy.^{[28][29][30][31][32][33]}

Ceasefire agreements [edit]

The Burman-dominated central governments (both civilian and military) have signed ceasefire agreements with most insurgent groups but fighting, especially in the Kachin Conflict, continues. Furthermore, accusations have emerged in regard to the army's mistreatment of the local population and the army is viewed as an occupying force in the ethnic regions.^{[citation needed]} Prior to the ceasefires, the Burman-dominated armed forces ("Tatmadaw") engaged in annual dry season campaigns that were ultimately futile, as the rebels returned after the withdrawal of the Tatmadaw.

In January 2012, the Myanmar government announced a ceasefire agreement with the Karen rebel group. The ceasefire includes a mandate that allows open communication between the government and Karen rebels, and also ensures safe passage for Karen rebels throughout the country. The Myanmar government granted amnesty to over 6,000 KNU prisoners and reduced the sentences of 38,964 prisoners.^[34] The peace talks, held in Hpa-an, were led by Railway Minister Aung Min, also the leader of the State Peace Deal Commission, and General Mutu Saipo of the KNU. Aung Min stated that one of the agreement's key points was a commitment to continue the formal communication process. The talks were due to reconvene within 45 days of the initial meeting date for more substantive discussions.^[35]

For economic sanctions to be lifted, Western governments have identified the negotiation of a peace agreement between the KNU and the Burmese government as a primary demand.^[35] Min Ko Naing, the leader of the pro-democracy uprisings in 1988, said upon his release from Tayet prison: "We need peace across the country immediately. Then we can work toward building national reconciliation." Specifically, Ko Naing called for peace in ethnic minority areas and the release of all incarcerated political prisoners, including Ko Ko Gyi [released on 13 January 2012)], 1990 MPs, ethnic group leaders, monks and all prisoners of conscience.^[36]

See also [edit]

• History of Burma
• Military history of Burma
• Kokang incident

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikinews has related news: Thousands of Monks in Burma to be imprisoned; Thousands more reported dead Burmese protestors beaten by police Hundreds of monks arrested in monastery raids; continue protests At least 9 protesters killed, 11 wounded in Myanmar

• Mizzima News India-based news group run by exiled dissidents. See also: Mizzima News
• Democratic Voice of Burma Norwegian-based radio station that provides news to the people of Burma
• BBC News: The fighting spirit of Burma's Karen (2007)
• Help without frontiers – German relief organisation working for Shan and Karen refugees living in Camps on the border line to Thailand and inside of Burma
• MyanmaThadin Myanmar (Burma) News & Community Hub