Since 1948, the war between pro-democracy resistance groups and the Myanmar military has intensified. dramatically expanded After the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government. Ethnic resistance groups, often backed by the People’s Defense Forces, are active throughout Myanmar’s ethnic countries. fight against military forces While working with the exiled National Unity Government. Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence in these conflicts, with more than 3.3 million people internally displaced and at least 3 to 4 million people fleeing the country. However, Shan State in particular stands out as a terrible example of civilian suffering at the hands of not only the Burmese military, but also the Shan State and allied and state forces.UWSA). While most people in Myanmar face a grim reality, residents of Shan State are enduring additional abuses from ethnic militias who claim to protect them. These residents face threats of violence as well as overwhelming economic pressures that make life unbearable.
Nang Seng Aung, 45, described the harsh taxes imposed by armed groups: “If your family works abroad, armed groups take half of the money you send home.” She went on to list the wide range of taxes they face. “Concrete house: 7,500,000 kyat per year, bamboo house: 1,500,000 kyat, large truck (16 wheels): 15,000,000 kyat, small truck (6 wheels): 5,000,000 kyat…” Even bicycles, telephones, buffaloes, cows and pigs are taxed. It works. Nang Seng Aung, who cannot bear this financial burden and cannot afford to buy daily necessities, said, “I ended up selling everything at a low price and came to Thailand.”
Sai Kungdala, a 48-year-old Shan man, arrived at a refugee camp in Thailand with his wife and two children and described the hardships they had faced. He explained, “After the military takeover, prices doubled, but the daily wage remained the same.” “Sometimes our employers would pay us half in yaba pills (methamphetamine) and half in cash.” By 2024, the economic collapse had worsened to the point where employers began paying workers only on drugs. This left ordinary workers in the desperate position of having to sell methamphetamine just to buy food. “But the price of yaba was very low at 200 kyats per pill, and it was difficult to sell it because everyone already had yaba,” Sai said.
Shan State-North (SSA-N) and its affiliated Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) are headquartered in Wanhai village, Kesi Township, central Shan State, and are affiliated with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its political arm, United Wa State. Party (UWSP) is headquartered in Bang Sang, northern Shan State, near the Chinese border. SSA and UWSA are the two most powerful armed groups in Myanmar and have maintained a long-standing ceasefire with the allied government. For decades, these groups have cooperated with the Burmese military in business, trade and mining and have been given broad freedom to conduct large-scale operations. criminal enterpriseIncludes opium farms and opium production factories methamphetamine (yaba) and heroin. Some people say UWSA Largest drug trafficking Organizations in the world.
UWSA’s relationship with China is rooted in historical connections. burma communist partyThe function has been greatly strengthened. military and economic ability. China provides the UWSA with advanced weaponry, including helicopters, anti-aircraft systems, and armored vehicles, along with training and economic investments. In Wa-controlled areas, Chinese serves as the lingua franca, and Chinese currency, infrastructure, and technology dominate local systems. This close relationship allows UWSA to play a critical role in maintaining stability in Shan State, a geopolitically important region for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and energy security.
With Chinese support and a powerful military, the UWSP operates as a quasi-state actor with almost complete autonomy. Both the Burmese military and the Chinese Communist Party see the UWSA as a viable ally. The UWSA’s main purpose is to maintain autonomy, but it maintains a ceasefire with the government and sometimes acts as a stabilizing force against certain ethnic armed groups that threaten government interests. UWSA also plays a key role for Beijing by ensuring the security of the China-Myanmar border and creating a favorable investment environment. Ironically, UWSA operates on a large scale. weapons manufacturing Its main customers are ethnic armed organizations fighting against the Burmese government, which is still China’s client. The complex interplay of these alliances highlights the complex dynamics of power, business, and conflict in Shan State.
Many Shan State villagers report being taxed by the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) and the United Wa State Army (UWSA). When it comes to conscription, they face the demands of up to three armies: the UWSA, the SSA-N, and the Burmese Army. Each army requires its sons and daughters to serve on the front lines. Record numbers of Shan people are migrating to Thailand due to ongoing losses and threats of violence due to economic collapse and widespread drug addiction. The humanitarian situation inside Myanmar continues to deteriorate, and the number of displaced people in need in Thailand increases every day. Unless the three armies somehow annihilate each other (an unlikely scenario) or a diplomatic solution is reached, the crisis is bound to get worse.
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