Myanmar conflict

Myanmar conflict
Military situation in Myanmar as of 3 December 2024[update]. Areas controlled by the Tatmadaw are highlighted in red. For a live map, see here.
Date 2 April 1948 (1948-04-02) – present (76 years, 8 months, 3 weeks and 4 days) Location Myanmar (Burma) Status Ongoing
Combatants
Union of Burma (1948–1962) Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma (1962–1988) Union of Myanmar (1988–2011)  Republic of the Union of Myanmar (since 2011) State Administration Council (since 2021)	National Unity Government (since 2021) People's Defence Force Ethnic armed organisations[a]
Commanders and leaders
Min Aung Hlaing	Duwa Lashi La
Units involved
Tatmadaw (full list)	Various (full list)
Strength
150,000 (2023 USIP estimate)[2]	Total number of fighters unknown[b]
Casualties and losses
180,000+ killed[c] 600,000–1,000,000 internally displaced

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Myanmar has been embroiled in armed conflict since 1948, when the country, then known as Burma, gained independence from the United Kingdom.^[5][6] The conflict has largely been ethnic-based, with ethnic armed organisations fighting Myanmar's armed forces, the Tatmadaw, for self-determination. Despite numerous ceasefires and the creation of autonomous self-administered zones in 2008, armed groups continue to call for independence, increased autonomy, or the federalisation of Myanmar. It is the world's longest ongoing civil war, spanning almost eight decades.^[7][8][9]

In 1940, during World War II, Burmese intellectuals formed the Thirty Comrades, who later established the Burma Independence Army (BIA) to fight against the Allies. Aung San led the State of Burma, switching allegiance to the Allies in mid-1944. Post-war negotiations led to Burma's independence in 1948, but tensions arose as the Panglong Agreement promising autonomy to ethnic minorities, was not honoured after Aung San's assassination. This period saw the rise of the Communist Party of Burma and the Karen National Union (KNU).

In 1962, General Ne Win led a coup, establishing a military junta and refusing to adopt a federal system, leading to increased insurgencies. The Communist Party of Burma (CPB) and various ethnic groups, including the Kachin Independence Army and Karen National Liberation Army, took up arms against the government. Ne Win's regime faced internal dissent and growing insurgencies throughout his rule, culminating in the 8888 Uprising in 1988, which was violently suppressed by the military.

Following the uprising, the military established the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), later renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The SPDC faced insurgencies and civil unrest, including the rise of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in the 2010s. The situation escalated further with the 2021 military coup, led by Min Aung Hlaing, which deposed the civilian government and led to widespread protests and renewed insurgencies, particularly in ethnic minority regions like Kachin State, Kayah State, and Kayin State.

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