An interview with Dr. Thiri Mon Chan, spokesperson for the Ramanya Joint Column, about its upcoming military operations
Nearly four years after the military coup, on 17 January, four Mon resistance groups formed the Ramanya Joint Column with the aim of fighting against the military dictatorship.
The Ramanya Joint Column, formed by four Mon resistance groups, consists of the Mon Liberation, Army (MLA), Mon National Liberation Army-Anti-Dictatorship (MNLA-AD), Mon State Defense Force (MSDF), and the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF).
Than Lwin Times interviewed Dr. Thiri Mon Chan, spokesperson for the Ramanya Joint Column, to learn more about the areas where the joint column plan to conduct military operations, the objectives behind unifying the four groups, and upcoming military activities, including strategic operations.
Q: First, in which areas will the Ramanya Joint Column begin its military operations? Will they be only in Mon State, or will the operations extend to connected regions as well?
A: We have designated the entire Mon State as the area of military operations for the Ramanya Joint Column. But, if military needs arise and given that Mon State is connected to Tanintharyi Region and Karen State in the north, we plan to conduct joint operations with our allies as needed.
Q: What benefits can come from forming this joint column in terms of conducting operations in a more unified manner, compared to when groups were scattered?
A: By forming this strategic column and conducting operations, we can carry out more military activities than when each group was operating individually. From 2022 to 2024, all the Mon armed groups active in Mon State were operating separately. Now, with this kind of unification and coordinated efforts, if we can work together, there is a belief that it would greatly benefit our military objectives. This is why we have established this joint military column.
Q: As these four Mon groups have now formed this military column, is it possible to capture a military battalion?
A: One of the main reasons for establishing the Ramanya Joint Column is to conduct coordinated military operations. Our aim is to be able to seize a battalion, camp, or strategically important area. So, we have set our goal to attack and capture some important military bases.
Q: Does this column aim to conduct strategic military operations or joint operations with other resistance forces?
A: As the Ramanya Joint Column, we aim to conduct coordinated military operations. We plan to undertake these strategic operations in coordination with our allied organizations like the National Unity Government- Ministry of Defense (NUG-MOD), People’s Defense Forces (PDF), and, if needed, with our allied Karen National Union (KNU) battalions.
Q: During the Kyon Laung battle that began over a week ago, did the four Mon forces fight together with other resistance forces?
A: During the Kyon Laung battle that began over a week ago, our four Mon armed groups – the MLA, NMSP-AD, MSDF, and MSRF – fought together. We are still fighting now. Even before we formally formed the Ramanya Joint Column, while we hadn’t yet been able to practically implement the joint military activities that were decided on 18 December 2024, the four Mon armed forces had been fighting together until now in the strategically important Kyon Laung battle.
Q: When can we expect the Ramanya Joint Column to launch its first offensive? What would you like to say to the people about this?
A: As the Ramanya Joint Column, we have plans to launch our first offensive as soon as possible. Due to military confidentiality, I can’t say which day or month this will happen. What I want to tell the Mon people is that even when Mon armed forces weren’t conducting military operations in Mon State, our Mon people have been suffering from the military junta’s violent oppression and the spillover effects of war from other states and regions.
If we can’t break free from junta’s oppression, our generation will continue to face this kind of oppression. So, in this revolution, there will inevitably be give and take. There will be sacrifices for success. Only with such sacrifices can we achieve the success we desire. We want to urge the Mon people to remain vigilant during this conflict period. Following the military code of conduct, we, the Mon armed forces, will try our best to minimize civilian casualties and protect those not involved in the fighting.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.