Military - note Burma (Myanmar), in 6 editions.

since the country's founding, the armed forces have been heavily involved in domestic politics and ran politics, running the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the 2021 coup, the military controls already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and has had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)
as of 2021, 2022, the military owned and operated two business conglomerates that had over 100 subsidiaries and close ties to other companies; the business activities of these conglomerates included banking and insurance, hotels, tourism, jade and ruby mining, timber, construction, real estate, and the production of palm oil, sugar, soap, cement, beverages, drinking water, coal, and gas; some of the companies supplied goods and services to the military, such as food, clothing, insurance, and cellphone service; the military also managed a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations
as of 2021, 2022, the military's primary operational focus was internal security, particularly attempts to quell civilian a growing armed resistance to insurgency against the 2021 coup and counterinsurgency operations against ethnic-based insurgent separatist groups; these operations have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, human rights abuses, and internal displacement
displacement--ethnic-based armed groups have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since the country’s 1948 independence; as of 2021, 2022, there were approximately 20 ethnic-based armed such groups operating in Burma with strengths of a few hundred up to more than 20,000 estimated fighters; some were organized along military lines with "brigades" and "divisions" and armed with heavy weaponry, including artillery; they reportedly controlled about an estimated one-third of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups included the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army
in 2015, the Burmese Government signed a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with eight mostly small armed groups, including the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front, Arakan Liberation Party, Chin National Front, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council, Karen National Union, Pa-O National Liberation Organization, and the Shan State Army-South; seven other groups did not sign the NCA, but have since signed bi-lateral ceasefires with the Burmese Government, including the National Democratic Alliance Army, Shan State Army, New Mon State Army, Karenni Army, National Socialist Council of Nagaland–Khaplang, and the United Wa State Army, which in 2021 was assessed to be the largest and most capable group, with more than 20,000 fighters; others, including the Arakan Army (Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Shan states), Kachin Independence Army (Kachin state), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (Shan state), Shanni Nationalities Army (Kachin state), and Taang National Liberation Army (Shan state) continued to engage in active insurgent operations against the Burmese Government in 2021; in March 2021, the Karen National Union resumed fighting with the Burmese military
as of 2021, 2022, Burma also had a large number (estimates run into the thousands) of other armed militias which took many different forms and varied in allegiances and size; most were pro-government pro-military junta and associated with the Tatmadaw; Burmese military (Tatmadaw); some were integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces (BGF); the BGF were organized as 325-man battalions, which included a mix of militia forces, ethnic armed groups, and government soldiers; they were armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-government pro-military government militias were not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure, structure but received direction from the military and were recognized as government militias; the amount of support they received from the Tatmadaw varied depending on local security conditions; the third type of pro-government militias were small community-based units that were armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed; anti-government militias were typically associated with ethnic-based as of 2022, the military junta government was raising new militia units to help combat the popular uprising
in mid-2022, the rebel National Unity Government claimed its armed organizations wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), had more than 60,000 fighters organized into battalions; in addition, several armed ethnic groups have added their support to anti-junta resistance groups or joined forces with local units of the PDF (2022)

since the country's country’s founding, the armed forces have Tatmadaw has been heavily involved in domestic politics, running politics and the national economy; it ran the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the 2021 coup, most recent coup in 2021, the military already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)
as of 2022, the military owned (USDP); it owns and operated operates two business conglomerates that had have over 100 subsidiaries and close ties to other companies; subsidiaries; the business activities of these conglomerates included include banking and insurance, hotels, tourism, jade and ruby mining, timber, construction, real estate, and the production of palm oil, sugar, soap, cement, beverages, drinking water, coal, and gas; some of the companies supplied supply goods and services to the military, such as food, clothing, insurance, and cellphone service; the military also managed manages a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations
as of 2022, the military's Tatmadaw's primary operational focus was is internal security, particularly attempts to quell a growing armed insurgency and it is conducting widespread counterinsurgency operations against anti-regime forces that launched an armed rebellion following the 2021 coup and operations against ethnic-based separatist groups; these operations have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, human rights abuses, and internal displacement--ethnic-based an array of ethnic armed groups (EAGs), some of which have considerable military capabilities; it has been fighting for self-rule accused of committing atrocities in the conduct of its campaign against the Burmese Government since pro-democracy movement and opposition forces
the country’s 1948 independence; as of 2022, there were Army is the dominant service and largely configured for counterinsurgency operations, although it has some conventional warfare capabilities; its principal combat forces are organized into 10 centrally-commanded light infantry/rapid reaction divisions, which have a key role in fighting against insurgents; the light infantry divisions are supported by approximately 20 such groups operating in Burma with strengths regionally-based, divisional-sized “military operations commands,” and several brigade-sized “regional operations commands”; the Army’s insurgency operations are supported by the National Police, which has dozens of paramilitary combat police battalions; the Air Force also has a few hundred up to large counterinsurgency role with more than 20,000 estimated fighters; some were organized along military lines with "brigades" 100 combat-capable aircraft and "divisions" helicopters, mostly ground attack aircraft and armed with heavy weaponry, including artillery; they reportedly controlled an estimated one-third of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups included helicopter gunships, complemented by some multipurpose fighters; the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Navy has traditionally been a coastal defense force, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army
as majority of 2022, Burma also had a large number the combat fleet consists of other armed militias which took many different forms fast attack and varied patrol vessels; however, in allegiances recent years the Navy has expanded its blue water capabilities and size; most were pro-military junta has a small force of frigates and associated with corvettes, as well as a landing platform docking (LPD) amphibious assault ship and 2 attack submarines acquired since 2020
the Burmese military (Tatmadaw); is supported by hundreds of pro-government militias; some were are integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces (BGF); the BGF were Forces, which are organized as 325-man battalions, which included battalions with a mix of militia forces, ethnic armed groups, and government soldiers; they were soldiers that are armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-military government militias were are not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure but received receive direction and some support from the military and were are recognized as government militias; the amount of support they received from the Tatmadaw varied depending on local security conditions; the a third type of pro-government militias were are small community-based units that were are armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed; as of 2022, the military junta government was raising has raised new militia units to help combat the popular uprising
EAGs have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since 1948; there are approximately 20 such groups operating in mid-2022, Burma with strengths of a few hundred up to more than 25,000 estimated fighters; some are organized along military lines with "brigades" and "divisions" and armed with heavy weaponry, including artillery; they control large tracts of the rebel country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups include the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army
the opposition National Unity Government claimed claims its armed wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), had has more than 60,000 fighters loosely organized into battalions; in addition, several armed ethnic groups EAGs have added their support to anti-junta resistance groups or joined forces cooperated with local units of the NUG and supported local PDF (2022) groups (2023)

since the country’s founding, the Tatmadaw has been heavily deeply involved in domestic politics and the national economy; it ran the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the most recent coup in 2021, the military already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP); it owns and operates two business conglomerates that have over 100 subsidiaries; the business activities of these conglomerates include banking and insurance, hotels, tourism, jade and ruby mining, timber, construction, real estate, and the production of palm oil, sugar, soap, cement, beverages, drinking water, coal, and gas; some of the companies supply goods and services to the military, such as food, clothing, insurance, and cellphone service; the military also manages a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations
the Tatmadaw's primary operational focus is internal security, and it is conducting widespread counterinsurgency operations against anti-regime forces that launched an armed rebellion following the 2021 coup and an array of ethnic armed groups (EAGs), some of which have considerable military capabilities; as of 2024, the Tatmadaw was reportedly engaged in combat operations in 10 of its 14 regional commands; it has been accused of committing atrocities in the conduct of its campaign against the pro-democracy movement and opposition forces
the Army is the dominant service and largely configured for counterinsurgency operations, although it has some conventional warfare capabilities; its principal combat forces are organized into 10 centrally-commanded light infantry/rapid reaction divisions, which have a key role in fighting against insurgents; the light infantry divisions are supported by approximately 20 regionally-based, divisional-sized “military operations commands,” and several brigade-sized “regional operations commands”; the Army’s insurgency operations are supported by the National Police, which has dozens of paramilitary combat police battalions; the Air Force also has a large counterinsurgency role with more than 100 combat-capable aircraft and helicopters, mostly ground attack aircraft and helicopter gunships, complemented by some multipurpose fighters; the Navy has traditionally been a coastal defense force, and the majority of the combat fleet consists of fast attack and patrol vessels; however, in recent years the Navy has expanded its blue water capabilities and has a small force of frigates and corvettes, as well as a landing platform docking (LPD) amphibious assault ship and 2 attack submarines acquired since 2020
the military is supported by hundreds of pro-government militias; some are integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces, which are organized as battalions with a mix of militia forces, ethnic armed groups, EAGs, and government soldiers that are armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-military government militias are not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure but receive direction and some support from the military and are recognized as government militias; a third type of pro-government militias are small community-based units that are armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed; the junta military regime has raised attempted to raise new militia units to help combat the popular uprising
EAGs have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since 1948; there are approximately reported to be around 20 such groups operating in Burma with strengths of a few hundred up to more than 25,000 30,000 estimated fighters; some are organized along military lines with "brigades" and "divisions" and armed with heavy weaponry, including artillery; they control large tracts of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups include the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army
the opposition National Unity Government claims its armed wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), has more than 60,000 fighters loosely organized into battalions; in addition, several EAGs have cooperated with the NUG and supported local PDF groups (2023) (2024)

since the country’s founding, the Tatmadaw has been deeply involved in domestic politics and the national economy; it ran the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the most recent coup in 2021, the military already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP); it owns and operates two business conglomerates that have over 100 subsidiaries; the business activities of these conglomerates include banking and insurance, hotels, tourism, jade and ruby mining, timber, construction, real estate, and the production of palm oil, sugar, soap, cement, beverages, drinking water, coal, and gas; some of the companies supply goods and services to the military, such as food, clothing, insurance, and cellphone service; the military also manages a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations
the Tatmadaw's primary operational focus is internal security, and it is conducting counterinsurgency operations against anti-regime forces that launched an armed rebellion following the 2021 coup and an array of ethnic armed groups (EAGs), some of which have considerable military capabilities; (EAGs); as of 2024, the Tatmadaw was reportedly engaged in combat operations in 10 of its 14 regional commands; it has been accused of committing atrocities in the conduct of its campaign against the pro-democracy movement and opposition forces
the military is supported by pro-government militias; some are integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces, which are organized as battalions with a mix of militia forces, EAGs, and government soldiers that are armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-military government militias are not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure but receive direction and some support from the military and are recognized as government militias; a third type of pro-government militias are small community-based units that are armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed; the military regime has attempted to raise new militia units to help combat the popular uprising commands
EAGs have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since 1948; there are reported to be around 20 such groups operating they range in Burma with strengths of strength from a few hundred fighters up to 30,000 an estimated fighters; 30,000; some are organized along military lines with "brigades" and "divisions" and armed with heavy weaponry, including artillery; they control large tracts of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups include the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army
the opposition National Unity Government claims its armed wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), has more than 60,000 fighters loosely organized into battalions; in addition, several EAGs have cooperated with the NUG and supported local PDF groups (2024)