Pyusawhti militias (Burmese: ပျူစောထီးပြည်သူ့စစ်အဖွဲ့များ Burmese pronunciation: [pjù.sɔ́.tʰí pjì.θu̼ sɪʔ.tæʔ.mjá], also spelt Pyu Saw Htee) refers to three distinct groups of pro-military militias in Myanmar.[6]
The term was first used in 1955, when U Nu's government created Pyusawhti paramilitary units to assist the military with counterinsurgency operations. After a coup in 1958, the army tried to disband them as they had become loyal to local ruling-party politicians. However, their attempt was not completely successful.[5]
In the 2000s, Burmese media began using the term to refer to poorly trained irregulars mobilized by the military.[6]
In 2021, new village-based, loosely organised militia groups collectively known as the Pyusawhti emerged. These militias, officially called People's militias,[7] were formed by supporters of the military of Myanmar and those suspected to be its supporters, who feared attacks by the resistance forces, most of which later turned into the People's Defence Forces.[6] They conduct attacks on the resistance forces and their perceived supporters.[8] They are given some assistance by the military of Myanmar, which in turn utilises them to compensate for its lack of local knowledge and intelligence, as well as its shortage of manpower.[6] Observers have noted ties with extremist nationalist groups like the Patriotic Association of Myanmar.[8]
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