Three Brotherhood Alliance

{{Main|Rohingya conflict|Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present)}}

In 2016, following increased tensions between the Rohingya people of Rakhine State in western Myanmar and Buddhist extremists allied with the Myanmar military, the Burmese government began a genocidal campaign to expel Rohingya civilians from Rakhine state. The tensions hit a boiling point following an attack by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants against a Burmese police outpost.

{{Cite news |date=2016-10-09 |title=Myanmar policemen killed in Rakhine border attack |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37601928 |access-date=2023-10-30 |archive-date=2021-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217052338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37601928 |url-status=live }} The Arakan Army, which had fought against the Tatmadaw in the early 2010s alongside the Kachin Independence Army, resumed operations in Rakhine state following the resurgence in conflict and in 2018, conducted several attacks against the Tatmadaw in Rakhine state.{{Cite web |last=Lintner |first=Bertil |date=2019-01-03 |title=Arakan Army clashes with government forces in Rakhine state |url=http://asiatimes.com/2019/01/arakan-army-clashes-with-government-forces-in-rakhine-state/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Asia Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109083052/https://asiatimes.com/2019/01/arakan-army-clashes-with-government-forces-in-rakhine-state/ |url-status=live }}

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army predominantly conducted localized operations against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State prior to the 2021 coup.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-04 |title=Treading a Rocky Path: The Ta'ang Army Expands in Myanmar's Shan State |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/b177-treading-rocky-path-taang-army-expands-myanmars-shan-state |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=www.crisisgroup.org |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031185410/https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/b177-treading-rocky-path-taang-army-expands-myanmars-shan-state |url-status=live }} Despite being created in 2009, more recent than other rebel groups in Myanmar, the TNLA received public support from Ta'ang people and military support from other rebel groups like the KIA and United Wa State Army. Prior to the coup, the TNLA clashed regularly with the Restoration Council of Shan State over control of northern Shan state.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army is an ethnic armed group representing the Kokang people in northern Myanmar. Prior to the coup, the group participated in sporadic clashes between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA, but ultimately signed a ceasefire with the Tatmadaw in 2019.{{Cite web |date=2013-06-06 |title=Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) » Myanmar Peace Monitor |url=https://mmpeacemonitor.org/1681/mndaa/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Myanmar Peace Monitor |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://mmpeacemonitor.org/1681/mndaa/ |url-status=live }}

The Northern Alliance is a coalition of four rebel groups – the MNDAA, AA, TNLA, and the KIA – that was founded in 2016 to participate in peace talks with the Burmese government. In April 2017, the Northern Alliance, along with three other EAOs (the United Wa State Army, National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Shan State Army – North), formed the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee.{{cite web| url = https://acleddata.com/2018/07/21/analysis-of-the-fpncc-northern-alliance-and-myanmar-conflict-dynamics/| title = Analysis of the FPNCC/Northern Alliance and Myanmar Conflict Dynamics| last = Bynum| first = Elliot| date = 21 July 2018| website = ACLED| access-date = 20 February 2024 }}

The Three Brotherhood Alliance first arose in June 2019, during heavy fighting between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State and MNDAA and TNLA offensives in Shan state.Initially, the name was colloquially called "Brotherhood Alliance". It was notably not joined by the KIA, which was part of government peace talks in the FPNCC.{{Cite web |last=Bynum |first=Elliott |date=2020-02-12 |title=Dueling Ceasefires: Myanmar's Conflict Landscape in 2019 |url=https://acleddata.com/2020/02/12/dueling-ceasefires-myanmars-conflict-landscape-in-2019/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=ACLED |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://acleddata.com/2020/02/12/dueling-ceasefires-myanmars-conflict-landscape-in-2019/ |url-status=live }} The first attacks by the 3BA were in Shan State and in Mandalay. This offensive halted in early September 2019, with the alliance releasing a statement that peace talks were held with the Burmese government in Kengtung. Further peace talks between the two parties established a one-month ceasefire lasting until October 8, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Weng |first=Lawi |date=2019-09-09 |title=Three Myanmar Rebel Groups Announce 1-Month Ceasefire in Northern Shan State |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/three-myanmar-rebel-groups-announce-1-month-ceasefire-northern-shan-state.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=The Irrawaddy |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031020444/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/three-myanmar-rebel-groups-announce-1-month-ceasefire-northern-shan-state.html |url-status=live }} The ceasefire paused further actions by the MNDAA until the 2021 coup. However, clashes continued between the AA and the Tatmadaw in Rakhine state, despite a ceasefire extension into 2020 by the 3BA.{{Cite web |title=Myanmar Ethnic Alliance Cease-fire Makes No Difference as Rakhine Fighting Rages in 2020 |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-ethnic-alliance-cease-fire-01022020164813.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Radio Free Asia |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031021945/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-ethnic-alliance-cease-fire-01022020164813.html |url-status=live }}

The Keng Tung ceasefire continued through March 2020.{{Cite web |title=Three Brotherhood Alliance announce a 25 day unilateral ceasefire extension |url=https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/three-brotherhood-alliance-announce-25-day-unilateral-ceasefire-extension |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Burma News International |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/three-brotherhood-alliance-announce-25-day-unilateral-ceasefire-extension |url-status=live }} Despite this, the Tatmadaw declared the Arakan Army to be a terrorist group on March 23.{{Cite web |last=Aung |first=Htein |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Three Brotherhood Alliance wants terrorist label dropped for EAOs |url=true://www.dmediag.com/news/3-bth-n-govt-trr-c.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Development Media Group |language=en-US}} The group released another statement in May 2020, as the ceasefire extensions continued, urging the Tatmadaw to respect the ceasefire in Rakhine state.{{Cite web |last=Weng |first=Lawi |date=2020-05-11 |title=Myanmar Rebel Coalition Calls for Military to Extend Ceasefire to Rakhine |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-rebel-coalition-calls-military-extend-ceasefire-rakhine.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=The Irrawaddy |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031020442/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-rebel-coalition-calls-military-extend-ceasefire-rakhine.html |url-status=live }} Renewed peace talks came to fruition in July 2020, with AA and the 3BA beginning peace talks with the Burmese government.{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2020 |title=Myanmar: Northern Alliance Trio Keen to Join Union Peace Conference |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/23072020-myanmar-northern-alliance-trio-keen-to-join-union-peace-conference/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Eurasia Review |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529020449/https://www.eurasiareview.com/23072020-myanmar-northern-alliance-trio-keen-to-join-union-peace-conference/ |url-status=live }} The Tatmadaw and Arakan Army signed a ceasefire in November 2020, and afterwards, the group consolidated control over much of Rakhine State and acted like a de facto state.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-01 |title=Avoiding a Return to War in Myanmar's Rakhine State |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/avoiding-return-war-myanmars-rakhine-state |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=www.crisisgroup.org |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106140951/https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/avoiding-return-war-myanmars-rakhine-state |url-status=live }} By 2021, few clashes were documented between the junta and members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance were one of the few rebel groups to not immediately declare war on the junta after the coup in February 2021. Because of this, the junta prioritized negotiations with the alliance in an attempt to gain support for the junta. In early March, the junta removed the Arakan Army from its list of terrorist groups in an attempt to gain support as other rebel groups began rebelling against the government.{{Cite web |title=Myanmar military removes rebel Arakan Army from 'terrorist' list |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/11/myanmar-junta-removes-rakhine-rebels-from-terrorist-list |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/11/myanmar-junta-removes-rakhine-rebels-from-terrorist-list |url-status=live }} However, AA spokesman Khine Tha Khahe deplored the actions of the Tatmadaw against protesters, calling them "very cruel and unacceptable."{{Cite web |title=Alliance of Ethnic Armed Groups Pledge Support for Myanmar's 'Spring Revolution' |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/alliance-of-ethnic-armed-groups-pledge-support-for-myanmars-spring-revolution/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701094049/https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/alliance-of-ethnic-armed-groups-pledge-support-for-myanmars-spring-revolution/ |url-status=live }} The TNLA and MNDAA also did not register any clashes with the Tatmadaw immediately following the coup – junta forces instead pulled troops from northern Shan state to southeastern Myanmar to quell insurgents, allowing both groups (especially the TNLA) to exercise de facto control over northern Shan.

On March 29, 2021, the three groups released a statement announcing opposition of the alliance to the junta on Facebook.{{Cite web |publisher=Mizzima |date=March 29, 2021 |title=မြန်မာစစ်တပ်က ဆန္ဒပြနေသော ပြည်သူများအား ဆက်လက်ပစ်နေပါက ပြည်သူများနှင့်အတူ ခုခံစစ်ဆင်နွှဲမည်ဟု MNDAA, TNLA, AA ညီနောင် မဟာမိတ် သုံးဖွဲ့ ကြေညာချက်ထုတ် |url=https://www.facebook.com/216265185075061/posts/4232393073462232/?d=n |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Facebook |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://www.facebook.com/216265185075061/posts/4232393073462232/?d=n |url-status=live }} The alliance was the first public action against the junta by either of the three groups. In the statement, the three groups stated that the three groups would "re-evaluate the unilateral ceasefire".{{Cite web |date=2021-04-10 |title=Brotherhood Alliance launches lethal attack on northern Shan State police station |url=https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/brotherhood-alliance-launches-lethal-attack-on-northern-shan-state-police-station/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Myanmar Now |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031020441/https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/brotherhood-alliance-launches-lethal-attack-on-northern-shan-state-police-station/ |url-status=live }} The ceasefire fell apart following the alliance's first attack on junta troops on April 10, 2021. In the attack, 3BA forces ambushed a police outpost in the city of Naungmon in northern Shan state, killing fourteen police officers. The Tatmadaw regained control over the police outpost an hour later, by which time the 3BA fighters had fled.{{Cite web |title=Ethnic Army Alliance Kills 14 Myanmar Police in Dawn Raid as Death Toll Mounts in Bago |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/shan-attacks-04102021171521.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Radio Free Asia |language=en |archive-date=2021-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507024415/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/shan-attacks-04102021171521.html |url-status=live }}

The rest of 2021 marked a time of relatively few incidents between the junta and Three Brotherhood Alliance. The MNDAA and TNLA instead used their respite to train troops and covertly aid local PDF groups in Mandalay.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-30 |title='We will win': Northern Alliance doubles down |url=https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/we-will-win-northern-alliance-doubles-down/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Frontier Myanmar |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905224454/https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/we-will-win-northern-alliance-doubles-down/ |url-status=live }} The 3BA also released statements condemning the junta's actions against civilians and in the battle of Thantlang.{{Cite web |title=Three Brotherhood Alliance urges groups to avoid affecting the security of the people |url=https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/three-brotherhood-alliance-urges-groups-avoid-affecting-security-people |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Burma News International |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014945/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/three-brotherhood-alliance-urges-groups-avoid-affecting-security-people |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Three Brotherhood Alliance condemns Myanmar military's shelling of Thantlang |url=https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/three-brotherhood-alliance-condemns-myanmar-militarys-shelling-thantlang |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Burma News International |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014946/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/three-brotherhood-alliance-condemns-myanmar-militarys-shelling-thantlang |url-status=live }} In Rakhine, the AA used the first peace in years to gain control over most of Rakhine state, declaring in August that they controlled over two-thirds of the state.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-21 |title=Understanding the Arakan Army |url=https://www.stimson.org/2023/understanding-the-arakan-army/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Stimson Center |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://www.stimson.org/2023/understanding-the-arakan-army/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-06 |title=Arakan Army extends administrative grip on Rakhine State |url=https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/arakan-army-extends-administrative-grip-on-rakhine-state/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Frontier Myanmar |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630221238/https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/arakan-army-extends-administrative-grip-on-rakhine-state/ |url-status=live }}

In late 2021, clashes broke out in Kokang after the MNDAA attacked the village of Ei Nie in northern Shan state.{{Cite web |title=MNDAA Attack Army In Northern Shan State Village |url=https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/mndaa-attack-army-northern-shan-state-village |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Burma News International |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014940/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/mndaa-attack-army-northern-shan-state-village |url-status=live }} The MNDAA also catalogued 126 incidents of clashes with the Tatmadaw in November 2021, an escalation of clashes first beginning in July.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-02 |title=Kokang Armed Group Reports Escalating Fighting With Myanmar Junta |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/kokang-armed-group-reports-escalating-fighting-with-myanmar-junta.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=The Irrawaddy |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031020442/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/kokang-armed-group-reports-escalating-fighting-with-myanmar-junta.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=Scores of Myanmar Junta Troops Die in Failed Attack on MNDAA Base, Kokang Fighters Say |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/scores-of-myanmar-junta-troops-die-in-failed-attack-on-mndaa-base-kokang-fighters-say.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=The Irrawaddy |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/scores-of-myanmar-junta-troops-die-in-failed-attack-on-mndaa-base-kokang-fighters-say.html |url-status=live }} Around that time, the group was gaining strength and firepower.

In December, junta troops dropped around 500 paratroopers over the border city of Namphan, which was controlled by the MNDAA. Over 100 Tatmadaw soldiers were killed in the raid, and the remaining soldiers were forced to flee. The raid marked the first major attack by the Tatmadaw on a member of the 3BA since the coup, effectively securing de facto MNDAA control over Namphan. The secretary of the TNLA, Tar Bone Kyaw, stated that the raid cemented the 3BA's position on the junta as hostile.

In February 2022, skirmishes broke out in Maungdaw Township of Rakhine, leading to a junta crackdown on AA-affiliated citizens and areas of Rakhine. In response, the AA refused participation in peace talks. Five months later in July 2022, the junta launched an airstrike on an AA base in an area administered by the Karen National Union, killing six AA fighters. In response, the AA ambushed Tatmadaw soldiers in Maungdaw, killing four. These clashes escalated throughout August to November, with 100 battles occurring in nine Rakhine townships. Thirty-six Tatmadaw outposts were destroyed, thirty-one of which were in northern Maungdaw. The Tatmadaw launched a counteroffensive in November, but with major civilian casualties. A truce was signed on November 26.

Meanwhile, the MNDAA and TNLA used the peace in 2022 to consolidate control over areas and stockpile weapons. The TNLA did not conduct any major attacks against the junta forces, but did launch small raids to show power.

In 2023, the Three Brotherhood Alliance increased their rejection of the junta by denouncing the election as a sham despite the junta promising constitutional protection for several groups. Militarily, the 3BA began increasingly supporting other armed groups such as the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force.{{Cite web |title=KNDF Praises Three Brotherhood Alliance's Support as Crucial in Battle |url=https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/kndf-praises-three-brotherhood-alliances-support-crucial-battle |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Burma News International |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/kndf-praises-three-brotherhood-alliances-support-crucial-battle |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=TNLA Chairman urges all parties to stop the sham election and end the reign of military dictatorship at their national day |url=https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/tnla-chairman-urges-all-parties-stop-sham-election-and-end-reign-military-dictatorship-their |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Burma News International |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014943/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/tnla-chairman-urges-all-parties-stop-sham-election-and-end-reign-military-dictatorship-their |url-status=live }} The TNLA also launched a brief recruitment raid in May 2023 in Lashio, military controlled territory.

{{main|Operation 1027}}

The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched a massive offensive in northern Shan state on October 27, 2023, in an operation dubbed Operation 1027.{{Cite web |title='Operation 1027': A Turning-Point For Myanmar's Resistance Struggle? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/operation-1027-a-turning-point-for-myanmars-resistance-struggle/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031014939/https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/operation-1027-a-turning-point-for-myanmars-resistance-struggle/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ethnic rebel alliance attacks military positions across northern Myanmar |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/ethnic-rebel-alliance-attacks-military-positions-across-northern-myanmar |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-04 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20231104221134/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/ethnic-rebel-alliance-attacks-military-positions-across-northern-myanmar |url-status=live }} The operation was in response to a failed junta offensive towards the KIA-controlled town of Laiza in Kachin state, which fizzled out in early October. At the end of the failed offensive, the junta launched an airstrike that killed 29 people, mostly children. In Operation 1027, the Three Brotherhood Alliance captured the city of Chinshwehaw and destroyed dozens of junta bases in the mountains of northern Shan.{{Cite web |title=Ethnic alliance launches offensive on junta in eastern Myanmar |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/offensive-10272023164744.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Radio Free Asia |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031020441/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/offensive-10272023164744.html |url-status=live }} Clashes also broke out in the cities of Lashio, Hsenwi, and Kutkai, the first major fighting in those cities in the war.{{Cite web |last=Pan |first=Myat |date=2023-10-30 |title=Myanmar junta suffers heavy losses as Brotherhood Alliance captures dozens of bases |url=https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/myanmar-junta-suffers-heavy-losses-as-brotherhood-alliance-captures-dozens-of-bases/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Myanmar Now |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030224110/https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/myanmar-junta-suffers-heavy-losses-as-brotherhood-alliance-captures-dozens-of-bases/ |url-status=live }} The operation received praise and support by other rebel groups, such as PDF groups in Mandalay, the Karenni National People's Liberation Front, the People's Liberation Army,{{Cite web |title=Operation 1027 reshapes Myanmar's post-coup war |url=https://myanmar.iiss.org/updates/2023-11 |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=IISS |language=en}} and the National Unity Government of Myanmar.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/b177-treading-rocky-path-taang-army-expands-myanmars-shan-state Treading a Rocky Path: The Ta'ang Army expands in Myanmar's Shan State – International Crisis Group]
• [https://www.stimson.org/2023/understanding-the-arakan-army/ Understanding the Arakan Army – Stimson Centre]
• [https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/we-will-win-northern-alliance-doubles-down/ 'We will win': Northern Alliance doubles down – Frontier Myanmar]

{{Insurgent groups in Myanmar}}

Category:2019 establishments in Myanmar

Category:Ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar

Category:Rebel alliances