The Anti-Fascist Internationalist Front (AIF) is an armed Internationalist formation in

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

participating in the ongoing civil war. While foreign fighters have been observed in Myanmar prior to the foundation of the AIF, the first mention of the group came on 15 October 2024, when the group announced its formation and called on volunteers to join the conflict. Members of the AIF claim to have provided training to local resistance organizations, as well as having participated in battles against the

State Administration Council The State Administration Council (; abbreviated SAC or နစက) is the military junta currently governing Myanmar, established by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, February 2021 c ...

. The AIF has made statements in solidarity with the revolution in North Eastern Syria, which received a reply from the

Women's Protection Units The Women's Protection Units (YPJ) or Women's Defense Units is an all-female militia involved in the Syrian civil war. The YPJ is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the armed forces of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and Ea ...

. Some AIF volunteers had prior experience fighting in the Rojava conflict. On 8 March 2025, the group issued a statement for

International Women's Day International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March, commemorating women's fight for equality and liberation along with the women's rights movement. International Women's Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive righ ...

, displaying their own flag as well as a KCK-inspired "Antifascist International" flag. The statement clarified the groups position as

anti-capitalist Anti-capitalism is a political ideology and Political movement, movement encompassing a variety of attitudes and ideas that oppose capitalism. Anti-capitalists seek to combat the worst effects of capitalism and to eventually replace capitalism ...

. Additionally, fighters have been shown wearing anarchist insignia, such as anarchist communist patches on their equipment.

Structure

While there is little official information about the structure and operation of the AIF, media channels of the group and its members suggest that the AIF is a mix of foreign volunteers working alongside individuals that it trains from local militias such as the

Chin National Defence Force Chin National Defence Force (; abbreviated CNDF) is a Chin ethnic armed organisation in Myanmar. It is the armed wing of the Chin National Organisation (CNO), and was founded on 13 April 2021 alongside it. It is one of the armed groups forme ...

and PDF Zoland. The AIF has notably included women fighters in their ranks. The AIF has been shown to participate in combat operations, having released sniper footage from the Battle of Falam as well as announcing two AIF/CNDF martyrs from the battle.

References

{{Insurgent groups in Myanmar Rebel groups in Myanmar 2024 establishments in Myanmar Organizations established in 2024 Anti-fascist organizations Internationalism Myanmar civil war (2021–present)