Towards a deeper understanding of Myanmar’s People’s Defence Forces
This report explores how Myanmar’s armed resistance has evolved since the 2021 coup, focusing on eight People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) across the country. The analysis includes Autonomous Battalions like the Mandalay PDF and Bamar People’s Liberation Army—powerful, Bamar-led groups that work independently but maintain key alliances. It also examines Integrated Battalions, deeply tied to ethnic armed groups, like the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF). In addition, the report covers mid-capacity Allied Battalions like CDF–Mindat, ABSDF, SAF, and PLA, which operate alongside ethnic forces while keeping some autonomy. Finally, it looks at Localised Battalions that may shift closer to allied status if support increases, such as the Southern Shan PDF. Together, these case studies offer critical insight into the structure and fragmentation of Myanmar’s resistance—underscoring the need for context-specific engagement strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
