Kachin conflict

Kachin conflict
Part of the internal conflict in Myanmar

Cadets of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) preparing for military drills at the group's headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State.
DateFirst conflict: 5 February 1961 – 24 February 1994
(33 years, 2 weeks and 5 days)
Second conflict: 9 June 2011 – present
(13 years, 5 months, 1 week and 4 days)
Location
Kachin State and northern Shan State
Status

Ongoing

  • Ceasefire signed between the government of Myanmar and the Kachin Independence Army in 1994
  • Resumption of hostilities in 2011 after the 17-year ceasefire is broken
Belligerents
Communist Party of Burma
New Democratic Army – Kachin (1989–2009)
Shanni Nationalities Army
Commanders and leaders
Former:
Former:
  • Zaw Seng Executed
    (1961–1975)
  • Zaw Tu Executed
    (1961–1975)
  • Zaw Dan †
    (1961–1975)
Units involved

Tatmadaw

Strength
20,000[citation needed]
  • 10,000–12,000 (2013)[4]
  • 200 (2013)[5]
Casualties and losses
Since 2011:
2,100+ killed[6]
100,000+ civilians displaced[3][7][8]
a Briefly clashed with the KIA from 1971 to 1972.

The Kachin conflict or the Kachin War is one of the multiple conflicts which are collectively referred to as the internal conflict in Myanmar. Kachin insurgents have been fighting against the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) since 1961, with only one major ceasefire being brokered between them, which lasted from 1994 to 2011, a total of 17 years.

Since the resumption of hostilities in 2011, thousands of civilians have been killed, whilst over 100,000 more have been displaced. Widespread use of landmines,[9] child soldiers,[9][10] systematic rape[9] and torture have been alleged by both sides.[9][11]

  1. ^ Kumbun, Joe (2 January 2018). "Analysis: KIO Kicks Off New Year with New Leadership". The Irrawaddy. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  2. ^ Nickerson, James (2 December 2018). "The Kachin IDP crisis: Myanmar's other humanitarian disaster". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b Branigan, Tania (17 January 2013). "Aung San Suu Kyi calls for ceasefire in Burma's Kachin region". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  5. ^ "All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) | Myanmar Peace Monitor". mmpeacemonitor.org. Myanmar Peace Monitor. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Government of Myanmar (Burma) - KIO". ucdp.uu.se. Uppsala Conflict Data Program. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Myanmar Soldiers Sentenced for Killing 3 Civilians in Kachin". The New York Times. Associated Press. 2018. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  8. ^ "EU: Democracy fails to bring peace in Kachin". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d "Untold Miseries" (PDF). Human Rights Watch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  10. ^ "No end in sight amid season of slaughter | Bangkok Post: news". Bangkok Post. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  11. ^ "Barriers to Reform in Myanmar: Displacement of Civilians in Kachin State" (PDF). Oxmofm.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2015.