| Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) |  | |||||
SUMMARYEstablished: 1963, 1976, January 1992, January 2009 Headquarters: Mobile Active Territories: Naungcho, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Kutkai, Namtu, Mantong, Namsang (South), Namhsan (North), Lashio, Tangyan, Namhkam, Muse and Momeik in Northern Northern Shan State; Mogok in Mandalay Region Strength: Over 6,000 Chairman – Lieutenant – General Tar Aik Bong Vice Chairman – Brig – Gen Tarr Jode Jarr General Secretary – Brig – Gen Tar Bone Kyaw Established in 1963 as the Palaung National Army, then in 1976 as the Palaung State Liberation Army (PSLA), and then in January 1992 as the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) and, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in January 2009. The PSLF/TNLA provides protection for the Ta’ang Palaung region. After a ceasefire agreement was signed between the military government and the PSLA in April 1991, divisions within the group led to the formation of the PSLF. It pursues its stated political goal of building a federal union that guarantees democracy, human rights and self-determination. The group cooperates militarily with the four-member Northern Alliance, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance, comprised of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA). The group is also a member of the United Wa State Army (UWSA)-led Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee (FPNCC). Despite talks with the government representatives about a ceasefire, heavy fighting with the military continues. Clashes frequently occur with the Restoration Council of Shan States (RCSS/SSA) in northern Shan State. The TNLA, along with the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has declared seven unilateral ceasefires between 2019 and 2020, but conflict continues with the Tatmadaw. The group acknowledged the outcome of the 2020 general elections and released a four-point statement on November 11th, 2020. It called for an end to the civil war in the post-election political landscape. Among the four points in the group’s statement was a call for an end to the military offensives in ethnic areas, particularly in Rakhine State. The Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) has set a political goal of building a federal democratic union that guarantees democracy, human rights, and self-determination. The PSLF/ TNLA cooperates politically and militarily with the four members of the Northern Alliance including the Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA), and the three members of the Brotherhood Alliance, including the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA). The PSLF/TNLA is also a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which is led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). The PSLF/TNLA has spoken out against the 2021 military coup and said it will join efforts to build a federal democratic union, which is the aim of the Spring Revolution, although its participation in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) has not yet been seen. However, the ethnic armed group has had contacts and exchanged information with the Ta’ang Political Consultative Committee (TPCC), one of the constituent groups of the National Unity Consultative Council, and its voices are represented in the TPCC, said the PSLF/TNLA’s general secretary. It also participated in discussion of the third draft constitution of Ta’ang State on 11-12 March 2023, which was led by the TPCC. Despite some contacts and negotiations with the military council due to pressure from the Chinese government, clashes occurred between Myanmar army troops and the PSLF/TNLA. At the 12 January 2023 ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Ta’ang National Revolution Day, PSLF/TNLA’s Chairman Lieutenant-General Tar Aik Bong urged the revolutionary forces to deter the elections being planned by the military council.89 Along with the ULA/AA and the MNDAA, the PSLF/TNLA currently provides military training and support to the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), the Student Armed Force (SAF), and the People’s Defense Forces – Local Defense Forces (PDFs-LDFs).
Fighting | Ceasefires and Peace Process Leader Alliances Contact |
Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2022 – 2023)
