The Chin Theater is one of the

theater Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The performers may communi ...

s of the

Myanmar civil war (2021–present) The Myanmar civil war (Burmese language, Burmese: မြန်မာ့ပြည်တွင်းစစ်),, also known as the Burmese civil war, is an ongoing civil war since 2021. It began following Myanmar conflict, Myanmar's long-runni ...

, with resistance forces fighting against the

Tatmadaw The Tatmadaw, also known as the Sit-Tat, is the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force. Auxiliary services include ...

military junta in

Chin State Chin State (, ) is a state in western Myanmar. Chin State is bordered by Sagaing Division and Magway Division to the east, Rakhine State to the south, the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh to the west, and the Indian states of Mizoram to th ...

, western Myanmar.

Background

is the least-developed region of Myanmar, located in the far west of the country, bordering

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Paletwa Paletwa (, ) is one of the westernmost towns of Myanmar, in Chin State, 18 kilometres from the border with Bangladesh. On the other side of the border, lies Chittagong Division of Bangladesh. Paletwa town's population was about 97,000 in 2014. Th ...

, situated in southern Chin State, has experienced conflict earlier than other towns in the region. Since 2019, the

Arakan Army The Arakan Army (; Abbreviation, abbreviated AA), sometimes referred to as the Arakha Army is an Ethnic nationalism, ethnic-List of insurgent groups in Myanmar, armed organisation based in Rakhine State (Arakan). Founded in April 2009, the Ara ...

(AA) has engaged in multiple armed clashes with the Myanmar military, as part of the

Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present) Violent clashes have been ongoing in the northern part of Myanmar's Rakhine State since October 2016. Insurgent attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) have led to Sectarianism, sectarian violence perpetrated by Myanmar's military ...

. During the conflict, the military imposed an internet shutdown in Paletwa, which has remained in effect since then.

Prelude

After the

2021 Myanmar coup d'état A coup d'état in Myanmar began on the morning of 1 February 2021, when Elections in Myanmar, democratically elected members of the country's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), were deposed by the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's milita ...

, people from Chin State were particularly active in anti-coup protests. Days after the beginning of the 2021 Kalay clashes on 28 March 2021, resistance groups in

formed the Chinland Defense Forces on 4 April 2021 to defend civilians from the Tatmadaw's violent crackdowns against protestors. Similarly, the Chin National Organization (CNO), along with its armed wing, the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), was established on 13 April 2021.

Timeline

2021

On 26 April 2021, the

Battle of Mindat The Battle of Mindat was the first large-scale military engagement of the current Myanmar civil war between civilians and the State Administration Council. It took place in and around Mindat, Chin State, in northwestern Myanmar in April and May ...

became the first large-scale conflict arising from the 2021 coup. As a response, the junta cut off food and water supplies and declared martial law. More than 10,000 people have left Mindat in southern Chin State as the Myanmar military started an all-out operation to quell an armed revolt headed by local citizens. Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor reported that the Myanmar military used

cluster munitions A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller submunitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill personnel and destroy vehi ...

bombs in Mindat. In late May 2021, the Chin-State based

Chin National Front The Chin National Front (; CNF) is a Chin people, Chin Nationalism, nationalist political organization in Myanmar. According to its website, its armed wing, the Chin National Army (CNA), fights the government of Myanmar. The group was founded on 20 ...

became the first ethnic armed organization to formally ally with the

National Unity Government of Myanmar The National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (; abbreviated NUG) is a provisional government for Myanmar formed by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of elected lawmakers and Member of parliam ...

in the fight against the junta. On 19 September 2021, clashes broke out in Thantlang when Chin National Army (CNA) and CDF-Thantlang launched an attack on a junta base reportedly killing around 30 soldiers. In response, junta forces killed a Christian leader who tried to put off a fire. A month later they returned and burned down two churches and at least 164 homes. The battle also leads to the exodus of thousands of residents as early as September 2021. Over 10,000 Thantlang residents fled the town, seeking refuge in the countryside and the neighboring Indian state of Mizoram. CDF Paletwa carried out its first attack against junta soldiers in November 2021.

2022

In January 2022, tensions escalated between the military regime troops and the joint local forces (CNA, Chin National Defence Force, CDF Siyin, CDF KKG, PDF Zoland, PDF Kalay, Zomi PDF, Zogam Army) in Taingen village,

Tedim Tedim (, , (Tedim language, Zo: ''Tedim Khuapi'', pronounced ; is a town and the administrative seat of Tedim Township in Chin State, Myanmar. It is the second largest town in Chin State, after Hakha (the capital city of Chin State). The town's f ...

, a strategic point on the road of Kalay-Tedim and Kalay-

Falam Falam (, ) is a town in north-western Burma (Myanmar) near Burma's western border with the Indian state of Mizoram. The town was founded by the Taisun tribe. The British arrived to Falam in 1892, and became an important base for British rule of ...

, which also served as an entry point to Chin State from

Sagaing Sagaing (, ) is a town in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. It is located on the Irrawaddy River, to the south-west of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river. Sagaing, with its numerous Buddhist monasteries, is an important religious and ...

. On 12 January, the junta's transportation units advanced to the village from

Kalay Kalay (; , ''Kalü''), also known as Kale, is a town in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. It is located upstream from Mandalay and Monywa on the Myittha River, a tributary of the Chindwin River. The town is the district headquarters of the Kalay Distr ...

to deliver military supplies to its troops. The next day, on 13 January, clashes broke out. The regime faced severe setbacks and fired heavy weapons from Kalay University while deploying air support. Consequently, over 1000 residents of Taingen and nearby villages, including Mualpi, Khai Kam, and Theizang, were displaced. The joint defense forces claimed an estimated 75 junta forces were killed. The battle lasted for over 10 days, and the joint forces eventually retreated due to inadequate weaponry. As of May 2022, active fighting was taking place in eight of the nine

townships A township is a form of human settlement or administrative subdivision. Its exact definition varies among countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, this tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Canad ...

of Chin State. In September 2022, the

Chin National Army The Chin National Army (; abbreviated CNA) is a Chin ethnic armed organisation in Myanmar (Burma). It is the armed wing of the Chin National Front (CNF), and was founded on 20 March 1988 alongside it. The CNA signed a ceasefire agreement with ...

claimed that around 70% of the state was under the control of resistance forces. By November 2022, much of Thantlang had been burned down.

2023

On 10 and 12 January 2023,

Myanmar Air Force The Myanmar Air Force (, ) is the aerial branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. The primary mission of the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) since its inception has been to provide transport, logistical, and close air support to the Myanm ...

carried out airstrikes with one Yak-130 and two MiG-29 targeting Camp Victoria, CNA's headquarters, near the India-Myanmar border. Five CNA soldiers were killed, at least 10 were injured and some buildings were damaged. The air attacks violated Indian airspace and soil, according to the CNF, local Mizo organizations, and the international research and advocacy organization Fortify Rights. The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) states that at least 200 Chin refugees crossed the border later the week following the airstrikes by Myanmar Army. CDF Matupi engaged in attacks near

Paletwa Township Paletwa Township () is the only township of Paletwa District () in southwestern Chin State, Myanmar. It consists of Paletwa and Sami towns and Paletwa is the administrative center for the township. Geography Paletwa Township is located in south ...

. On 23 and 24 March 2023, CDF Matupi and CNA attacked junta's convoy on the Matupi-Paletwa road, and claimed 13 soldiers were killed. CDF Paletwa assured that on 15 March 2023, Assam Rifles entered Paletwa township and fired gunshots. However,the Assam Rifles denied, saying its soldiers were engaged in “routine border point verification inside the Indian territory." On 10 April 2023, Webula town, situated about 20 miles away from Falam town experienced an attack by Myanmar Air Force. The attack followed the seizure of the Var military camp by the CNDF earlier that day. The town was targeted along with Var village and Kyaung Hel village. This assault resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, while many others sustained injuries due to the airstrikes. Among the casualties were individuals near a school and a football field where fighter jet shells exploded. The airstrikes caused extensive damage to five civilian houses. In May 2023, the first clash in Paletwa after the coup broke out between AA and the Myanmar military. More than 100 battles had occurred in Chin State between July and November 2022, reported the Diplomat. The conflict between AA and the Myanmar military ended in Paletwa after both parties agreed to a temporary cease-fire with

Yōhei Sasakawa is chairman of The Nippon Foundation, the World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, and Japan's Ambassador for the Human Rights of People Affected by Leprosy. He is chairman of The Nippon Foundation, Japan's large ...

's intermediary. The first clash in

Tonzang Tonzang is a town and the administrative seat of Tonzang Township in Chin State, Myanmar. Tonzang is the second most populous town in Tedim District of Chin State. The town was captured by the Chin National Army The Chin National Army (; abbr ...

, located in northern Chin State, took place on 1 August 2023. The CDFs (CDF Hualngoram, Tonzang CDF, and PDA), along with the CNA, attacked Tonzang Police Station. The fight continued until 2 August and resulted in the death of one CDF soldier and a civilian man, forcing nearby residents to flee. On 14 November 2023, the Arakan Army-Tatmadaw ceasefire breached after the AA, along with its alliance, launched the

Operation 1027 Operation 1027 ( my-name-MLCTS, MLCTS=1027 Cachcangre:, MY=၁၀၂၇ စစ်ဆင်ရေး, ) is an ongoing military offensive conducted by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a military coalition composed of three ethnic armed organisati ...

. The Arakan Army attacked military's outposts in Paletwa township and military deployed air strikes and heavy artillery fire, leading to ongoing and intense fighting. On the morning of 13 November 2023, after two days of fighting, the Chin National Army and the local CDFs forces seized the Myanmar Army's border guard outpost in Rikhawdar, Falam Township, a hub for border trade with

. The junta responded with air assaults using a jet fighter.

Aljazeera Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN; , ) is a private-media conglomerate headquartered in Wadi Al Sail, Doha, funded in part by the government of Qatar. The network's flagship channels include Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Jazeera English, which provi ...

reported more than 5000 people from Rihkhawdar and nearby villages fled to

Mizoram Mizoram is a states and union territories of India, state in northeastern India, with Aizawl as its Capital city, capital and largest city. It shares 722-kilometres (449 miles) of international borders with Bangladesh to the west, and Myanmar t ...

, India. A total of 43 Myanmar soldiers crossed the India-Myanmar border and sought refuge from the Indian police. They were handed to the Myanmar officials by the Indian authorities through Moreh- Tamu border. Two days later, residents who had fled to India returned, marking the town as the first in Chin State under the control of the resistance forces. On 15 November 2023, the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), the armed wing of the Chin National Organization (CNO), a Chin nationalist political organization, captured a Myanmar Military camp at Tibual village near the border with

, India. This action led to 29 Myanmar soldiers fleeing towards the neighboring Indian state of Mizoram. On the same day, eleven civilians, including eight children, were killed in a

airstrike in Vuilu village of

Matupi Township Matupi Township (; also batupui Township) is a township of Matupi District in the Chin State of Burma (Myanmar). On 12 January 2024, the junta base at Taingen was attacked by the CNA, Civic Defense Militia, and the CDF. The base was being defended by 12 soldiers and 18 police officers. Fighting lasted for five days until 16 January, and involved junta forces shelling and using airstrikes against the attacking EAOs from their position in Kalay. The EAOs however killed majority of the junta forces using drone bombs. According to Salai Lian Bawi, spokesman of the Chin National Front, the joint Chin force had repeatedly phoned the junta forces to surrender, however they refused and all died. Casualties on the Chin's side were a total of eight - one for the CNA, and seven for the CDF. The joint force also suffered the loss of four drones, each worth around 90 million

kyat The kyat ( or ; ; ISO 4217 code MMK) is the currency of Myanmar (Burma). The typical notation for the kyat is "K" (singular) and "Ks." (plural), placed before the numerals followed by "/-". Amounts less than K. 1/- are typically denoted w ...

. After launching an offensive on the town in December 2023, the

Chin Brotherhood Alliance The Chin Brotherhood (CB) is a military and political alliance between several ethnic armed organisations active in Chin State, Myanmar. Formed on 30 December 2023 during the Myanmar civil war, the claimed goal of the alliance is to foster colla ...

(CBA), with aid from other Chin groups and the

, captured the strategic town of Kyindwe in southern Chin State on 2 May. On 16 May, several Chin resistance groups, including the CBA member Zoland Defense Force, launched an offensive to capture

from the junta and its allied

Zomi Revolutionary Army The Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) is a Zomi nationalist militant group formed in 1997, following an increase in ethnic tensions between the Thadou-Kuki people and the Paite people in Churachandpur district of Manipur, India. Its parent organi ...

. By 20 May, Chin resistance captured most of Tonzang and neighboring Cikha from the junta. The next day, Chin resistance captured all of Tonzang and began pursuing retreating junta soldiers. On 27 May, the Chin Brotherhood Alliance launched an offensive to capture neighboring

, capturing a junta base the following day. On 30 May, CDF-Matupi captured the township's district administrative office on the Matupi-

Hakha Hakha (, ; formerly rendered Haka) is the capital of Chin State in Myanmar. Hakha is located in the northeast of Chin State, with a total area of about . The city of Hakha is located on a plateau at more than above sea level. Although relative ...

road. On 31 May, the Daai Local Council announced that local defense forces in

Kanpetlet Kanpetlet (, ) is a town in the Chin State of West Myanmar and the home of the Kanpetlet Township administration body. Geography It is known for Nat Ma Taung, Mt. Victoria, the highest peak in the Chin Hills and one of the highest in Western My ...

, Matupi,

Mindat Mindat may refer to: Places * Mindat District, a district in Chin State, Myanmar (Burma), consisting of two townships and many villages ** Mindat Township, Myanmar *** Mindat, Chin State, a town in Chin State, Myanmar, administrative seat of Mindat ...

, and

's had agreed to form the Chinland Defence Force – Daai. The council also stated that the 4 townships would be united into 1 administrative area under its governance, and that a constitution for the Daai Chin would be written. In May 2024, hostilities erupted between the

Zomi Revolutionary army The Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) is a Zomi nationalist militant group formed in 1997, following an increase in ethnic tensions between the Thadou-Kuki people and the Paite people in Churachandpur district of Manipur, India. Its parent organi ...

and

in Tedim Township, Chin State, leading to significant concerns within the community. Recognizing the detrimental impact of such conflicts on the broader resistance movement, ZORO intervened to broker peace. By late May,

Zo Reunification Organization The Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1988 in Champhai, Mizoram, India. It advocates for the cultural, social, and political unification of the Zo people, whose ethnic groups are dispersed ...

(ZORO) had successfully initiated reconciliation efforts between the ZRA's Eastern Command and the CNA, aiming to establish a ceasefire and promote unity among the Zo people. On 9 June, the Chin Brotherhood Alliance, alongside the

and the Magway-based Yaw Army, began attacking Matupi. 4 days later, Chin resistance officially announced the beginning of "Operation Chin Brotherhood" to capture the town. The same day, Chin resistance announced that they had captured the town's police station and administrative offices, leading junta forces to retreat to bases north and south of the town. On 16 June, junta forces from Tedim launched an offensive to recapture positions along the Tedim-

road, recapturing Kennedy Peak from the Zomi Federal Union by 18 June. After the outpost's capture, junta forces began launching raids on surrounding villages. On 20 June, junta forces recaptured the strategically important Taingen village. Both Kennedy Peak and Taingen village were recaptured by Chinland Council-led forces by 27 June, with junta forces retreating to Khaing Kham. On 17 June, as part of Operation Chin Brotherhood, CBA forces and allies captured the 304th Light Infantry Battalion base outside of Matupi, 1 of 2 remaining bases surrounding Matupi. The same day while attempting to capture the 2nd base, belonging to the 140th Infantry Battalion, CBA forces detained a Chin National Army soldier driving close to the frontline, and planned to release him the following day. However, in the early morning of the next day, the Chin National Army and allies launched a surprise attack on the CBA, leading to 2 CBA deaths. On 24 June, during clashes between the Chin Council and Chin Brotherhood Alliance around Matupi, the Chin Council was forced to retreat from the Matupi area. On the same day, the Chinland Defense Force clashed with junta forces outside of the Chin State capital

. The junta retaliated by setting fires to homes in the town. On 29 June, the CBA captured the 140th Infantry Battalion base north of Matupi and consequently seized the entire town. On 7 July, the CNA detained 2 Yaw Defense Force (YDF) soldiers in

Gangaw Township Gangaw Township is a township of Gangaw District in the Magway Division of Myanmar. The principal town is Gangaw. The capital city of Gangaw District is Pakokku Pakokku (, ) is the largest city in the Magway Region of Myanmar. It is situated ...

for "temporary questioning", taking the detainees to Camp Victoria (80 miles/129 kilometres away). The next day, the YDF closed the Hakha-

Gangaw Gangaw (, ) is a town of Gangaw Township in Gangaw District in the Magway Division in Myanmar. Gangaw is also known as the City of Yaw, a certain region in Myanmar including Gangaw (), Tilin (), Saw () and villages around them. Gangaw District an ...

road. The detained soldiers were released on 12 July. On 12 July, the Daai Regional Council and its armed forces, the CDF-Daai, resigned from the Chinland Council to prioritise the "consolidation" of the Daai people. On 20 July, as part of "Operation Rung", the CDF-Hakha captured the Hakha Main Police Station, releasing 62 detainees. On 22 July, the CNA and allies launched an offensive on the remaining junta bases in

Thantlang Thantlang (, ; also Thlantlang or Htantlang in Burmese transliteration) is a town and the administrative center of Thantlang Township in Chin State, western Myanmar (formerly Burma). Names Thantlang was formerly known as Thlan Tlang ("Cemeter ...

, quickly capturing several bases on the Thantlang-Hakha road. On 27 July, the CNA and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) met in

Aizawl Aizawl (, American English, US: , British English, UK: ; Mizo language, Mizo: ), formerly known as Aijal, is the capital city and the most populous city of Mizoram, India. It is also the third largest city in northeast India. It is situated ato ...

for peace negotiations. On 5 August, the CNA captured the final junta base in Thantlang, warning the remaining junta soldiers in the town to surrender. In September 2024, ZORO organized a meeting in

, bringing together representatives from both the CNA and the CB. The discussions culminated in a preliminary peace agreement, with both parties committing to resolve disputes non-violently and to collaborate more closely in their resistance against the Myanmar junta. On 15 October 2024, an internationalist group called the Anti-Fascist Internationalist Front formed to aid Chin anti-junta forces. A co-founder, adopting the

nom de guerre A ''nom de guerre'' (, 'war name') is a pseudonym chosen by someone to use when they are involved in a particular activity, especially fighting in a war. In Ancien régime, ''ancien régime'' Kingdom of France, France it would be adopted by each n ...

Azad, was a Kurdish volunteer in the Syrian

Rojava conflict The Rojava Conflict, also known as the Rojava Revolution, is a political upheaval and military conflict taking place in northern Syria, known among Kurds as Syrian Kurdistan, Western Kurdistan or Rojava. During the Syrian civil war that began ...

. On 9 November, the CBA relaunched Operation Chin Brotherhood, launching simultaneous offensives on

and

, capturing most of the former. The military junta has announced plans to conduct elections in November 2025, with a phased approach due to security concerns. Preparations include a census scheduled for October 2024. However, resistance forces and civil society organizations in Chin State express skepticism about the legitimacy of these elections, viewing them as a strategy for the military to maintain power. They argue that the elections are unlikely to lead to meaningful change, especially given the junta's limited control over the region. In early December 2024, insurgent forces, including the Chin National Army (CNA) and the CDF, captured four military camps between Hakha and Thantlang after ten days of combat. This offensive resulted in the deaths of 15 junta soldiers, including two captains and a police major, and the capture of 31 soldiers. The camps seized were Thi Myit, Umpu Puaknak, Nawn Thlawk Bo, and Ruavazung. As of 23 December 2024, ethnic rebel groups asserted control over approximately 85% of Chin State. The Chin Brotherhood Alliance (CBA) reported control of Mindat, Matup, and Kanpetlet townships, while the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) holds Tonzang. Additionally, the Arakan Army (AA) controls Paletwa township. Tidim, Thantlang, Hakha, and Falam remained under junta control, though the CBA had initiated offensives in these areas, particularly targeting Falam.

2025

On 7 April, the Chin Brotherhood completed their capture of

after a five-month battle.

Infighting between resistance groups

The Chin resistance have mostly fought as a united front since the outbreak of the civil war. However, in December 2023 the revolutionary forces became splintered into two factions, the Chinland Council and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance, the former operating in northern and central Chin State and the latter operating in the south. Among the several issues of contention between the groups is the role of the Arakan Army, which has increased presence in southern Chin State since its capture of

in November 2023. The Chin Brotherhood Alliance has conducted operations openly with the Arakan Army in southern Chin, considering them a vital ally against the junta. In turn, the Chinland Council accused the Brotherhood of being an AA proxy, and the AA of encroaching on Chin territory. On 31 January 2024, an alliance of 7 Chinland Defence Forces, alongside the

(CNA), launched an offensive on

member the Maraland Defence Force after the MDF reportedly killed a CNA soldier and detained several CDF-Mara soldiers. In late May, 2 rival

Mara Mara or MARA may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Mara (''Doctor Who''), an evil being in two ''Doctor Who'' serials * Mara (She-Ra), fictional characters from the ''She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'' and ''The New Advent ...

groups, the Maraland Territorial Council and Chinland Defense Force - Mara, met in

Siaha district Siaha district is one of the eleven districts of Mizoram state in India. The district is bounded on the northwest by Lunglei district, on the north and west by Lawngtlai District and on the south and east by Myanmar. The district occupies an ar ...

to discuss peace and unification. Prisoners held by both groups were released the next month. On 10 June, the Chinland Council issued a statement asking the Arakan Army to refrain from military and administrative operations in

Chinland Chinland, officially the State of Chinland, is a self-governing polity in Southeast Asia. Its claimed territory encompasses Myanmar's Chin State. It controls approximately one third of the Chin State in western Myanmar, along the borders with ...

. This came days after Global Khumi Organisation urged the Arakan Army against committing

human rights violations Human rights are universally recognized moral principles or norms that establish standards of human behavior and are often protected by both national and international laws. These rights are considered inherent and inalienable, meaning t ...

against the Khumi Chin people of

. In addition to these internal conflicts, tensions have escalated between the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) and the CNA. The ZRA, an armed Zomi nationalist group formed in 1997, has been involved in several clashes with Chin resistance forces. In September 2023, the ZRA attacked Chin resistance camps in Tonzang Township, resulting in the deaths of two CDF fighters. Further confrontations occurred in May 2024, with battles reported between the ZRA and CNA in Tedim Township. These incidents have exacerbated divisions within the Chin resistance, complicating efforts to present a cohesive front against the junta. The ZRA has been accused of collaborating with Myanmar's military junta, which the ZRA denies, further straining relations with other resistance groups. On 11 July, the MDF and AA advanced into Lailenpi, capturing the town from the rival CDF-Mara and CNA. In August, a meeting to resolve the dispute between the Chinland Council and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance was scheduled to take place in Delhi. However, the meeting was postponed reportedly due to security concerns.

Potential Peace between Resistance Groups and Zo Unification

In recent years, the possibility of Zo Unification, following the

Myanmar Conflict Myanmar has been embroiled in armed conflict since 1948, when the country, then known as Burma, Burmese Declaration of Independence, gained independence from the United Kingdom. The conflict has largely been Ethnic conflict, ethnic-based, wit ...

has gained increasing traction in

. In 2024, the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO), established in 1988, played a pivotal role in facilitating peace talks among various ethnic resistance groups in Chin State, Myanmar, with a focus on achieving Zo unity. The organization, that is based in

has been central in facilitating dialogue between groups such as the Chin National Army (CNA), the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance (CBA), focusing on resolving internal conflicts and strengthening unity against the Myanmar military junta. ZORO’s initiatives have included organizing peace talks, ceasefires, and reconciliation efforts to reduce divisions within the resistance movements. Additionally, the ex Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has actively supported peacebuilding efforts among the Zo people, emphasizing their shared cultural and political ties across national borders. His administration has provided platforms for discussions and facilitated diplomatic engagement between Mizoram-based groups and resistance factions in Myanmar. For instance, Zoramthanga has expressed his commitment to helping resolve conflicts in Chin State and supporting the broader goal of Zo unification. In November 2024, the current Chief Minister of Mizoram,

Lalduhoma Lalduhoma (alternatively spelled Lalduhawma; born 22 February 1949) is an Indian politician who serves as the 6th Chief Minister of Mizoram since 8 December 2023. Formerly an Indian Police Service officer, he resigned from the security service ...

, during a visit to the United States, Lalduhoma emphasized the importance of unifying the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi communities. He advocated for the consolidation of these communities under a single administration, highlighting their shared cultural and religious ties. In September 2024, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma appealed for closer ties between the Chin and Arakanese communities, advocating for cooperation with the Arakan Army (AA) in the broader context of the Myanmar conflict. He argued that building a relationship with the AA was necessary to prevent further instability in the region, suggesting that the Myanmar military junta would benefit from division among the ethnic groups. Lalduhma had stated:

''“The military council will be happy if we are fighting each other. So, we must make friends with the AA, otherwise, it might even come to Lawngtlai and create trouble.”''

However, this stance was rejected by Sui Khar, a leader of the Chin National Front (CNF) and the Chin National Army (CNA). He argued that the strength of the Arakan Army should not influence the decisions of ethnic groups or the Mizoram government. Khar emphasized that the Chin people would not work with the AA, as moral and ethical considerations, rather than power dynamics, should guide their actions. He asserted that "might cannot decide it," reiterating the Chin resistance's stance of non-cooperation with the AA despite both groups fighting the junta.

References

Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Chin theater Military operations of the Myanmar civil war (2021–present) Battles involving Myanmar Chin State