An interview with Comrade Ni Ni Kyaw, General Secretary of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), about military operations during four years since its establishment and its current military stance
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of Burma, began as an underground organization in 1939, prior to Myanmar’s independence. On 15 March 2021, the PLA was reorganized and has since been fighting alongside allied forces across Myanmar in their efforts to overthrow the military dictatorship.
The PLA took part in both the first and second waves of Operation 1027, led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA). It was also involved in numerous battles across northern Shan State, including those in Lashio, Mogok, Momeik, Hsipaw, and Theinni.
The PLA has been actively involved in combat alongside all armed forces opposing the junta, with the goal of dismantling three systems, including military dictatorship and fascism.
Shanni Voice interviewed Comrade Ni Ni Kyaw, General Secretary of the PLA, about the military activities over the past four years and the organization’s military stance.
Q: Please tell us as much as you can about the areas where the PLA is currently operating and its ongoing military activities.
A: Currently, the PLA has relocated to the Twin Nge area in Thabeikkyin District, located at the entrance of Mandalay Region, after moving from its base in northern Shan State. Fighting is ongoing in this region, and we are actively engaged in the combat. Additionally, we are participating in battles at the 7th Mile in Thabeikkyin and Madaya, as well as in Magway Region, Sagaing Region, Tanintharyi Region, and other areas, in collaboration with our allies.
Q: The PLA has been active for four years. Are you satisfied with the military activities during this time?
A: We are satisfied with our military achievements, especially the opportunity to take part in historic operations like Operation 1027 and the successful capture of towns through our collaboration with the 3BHA and other allies. However, on a national scale, the progress of our movement is still limited. Our ability to unite with other allies remains constrained. Despite this, all groups are relentlessly attacking the junta across Myanmar using every available means.
However, we have not yet reached the point where we can completely overthrow the military regime, and I am not satisfied with that. There are several reasons why we are unable to fight at full strength, many of which are already well known. From a military standpoint, we are dissatisfied because the prolonged conflict has caused significant harm to the public. As we all know, the military council continues to create problems for the people whenever it can, if it is unable to harms democratic forces. It is deeply saddening to witness the suffering and hardships faced by the people due to such threats and coercion.
We want to bring this conflict to a swift end. If we have sufficient strength, we will be able to win the war within one or two years. However, ending a revolution is not easy, and it’s unlikely to be resolved in such a short time. It’s already been four years, and some revolutions take decades. Myanmar’s revolution has been ongoing for 80 years, with continuous fighting. If we are determined to win this resistance war in our generation, the junta will eventually fall. Therefore, unity is crucial. We must not blame each other or become complacent. It is essential that we fight with the understanding that our common enemy must be eradicated.
Q: Did participating in the first and second waves of Operation 1027, led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, contribute to the PLA’s future military operations?
A: Participation in Operation 1027 has greatly contributed to future operations, both those led by the PLA and those carried out alongside our allies. It has provided us with valuable lessons on how to effectively connect with allies, the military tactics to employ, the technologies to utilize, and the methods for engaging with the public. This experience has been immensely supportive.
The majority of the people in the plains, the Burmese, also need to be liberated. The successes we’ve achieved in northern Shan State will play a crucial role in supporting the liberation of the entire Burmese plain. The PLA will apply the knowledge and combat skills we’ve gained through hard-fought experience. This will be instrumental in future military operations and, I believe, will ultimately benefit the public.
Q: Do you currently have allied forces, and are you conducting joint military operations with them?
A: Currently, we are collaborating with our allies, including the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), and other forces. We are fighting against the junta in unity with all these groups. We are involved in battles with battalions under the National Unity Government (NUG) as well as those not affiliated with the NUG, particularly in Thabeikkyin District. Additionally, we are working alongside local PFDs in Magway Region.”
We are fighting against the junta in collaboration with all groups, including the People’s Defense Force. The same applies in Sagaing Region. In Tanintharyi Region, we are working alongside the Karen National Union (KNU) and Muslim groups to combat the junta. We are united with our allies, both locally and nearby, and are actively engaged in battles.
Q: The PLA is also conducting military operations in Sagaing and Magway Regions. With other forces also moving into the Anyar region and carrying out operations, what do you think is the current military significance of the Anyar region in 2025?
A: The PLA is actively involved in the fighting in the Anyar region, similar to the ongoing conflict in Sagaing and Magway Regions. Our allies have established strongholds in key locations, including northern Shan State. Additionally, AA forces have moved into the Anyar region. In 2025, we anticipate that the fighting in the Magway, Sagaing, and Mandalay Regions will intensify. The strategic significance of this area is crucial, as it is closely connected to northern Shan State, and also linked to Kachin State and Arakan State.
If the resistance forces gain control over these areas, I believe that the scattered forces across the country—which have often blamed one another—will be more motivated, gain confidence, and unite with greater strength. The resilience of the people in the Anyar region is truly commendable. They have shown remarkable endurance, sacrificing their children, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and fathers, and many have joined the army themselves. They have also willingly enlisted their children. The political awareness in the Sagaing Region is also notably high. Other regions and states must follow suit. If these areas succeed in their fight and achieve liberation, it will serve as a source of encouragement for other regions and states. This will provide the momentum to continue working towards further victories. . They can create the landscapes that threaten the entire country. If the resistance forces can gain control over the Anyar, Sagaing, and Magway Regions, it will present a significant threat to the military council. I believe this could mark a pivotal turning point for the people of Bamar.
Q: It has been four years since the PLA began its armed struggle. How do you assess the current military situation between the military council and the resistance forces?
A: In these four years, we have witnessed the defeat of the fascist army—something unprecedented in Myanmar’s history. This gives me encouragement. However, we have yet to fight the final battle, and for now, I am satisfied with our progress. The military council has learned that they can no longer deceive and manipulate the public as they did in the past. They have failed to reclaim any of the areas they lost, and instead, they continue to create chaos for the people. They commit inhumane acts, such as bombing and burning villages shortly after capturing them. If they claim to have control over these areas, they should govern them properly. The junta’s brutal actions against innocent people—ranging from infants to the elderly and women—by claiming they support the resistance forces, are nothing but acts of sheer cruelty.
The more cruel and oppressive they become, the more likely they are to lose the war. Min Aung Hlaing will never win this war. We, the PLA, along with democratic forces and other groups, will never surrender to them. We will continue to fight in every way we can. While they may have greater military strength, they have lost the support of the people. As time goes on, the public is no longer on their side. In their desperation, as they begin to lose, they resort to airstrikes and drone attacks. But they cannot govern without the support and love of the people. Therefore, they will inevitably lose the war. They will never reclaim the areas taken by the resistance forces. This is our belief.
Q: What are the military and political stance of the PLA?
A: The PLA’s military and political stance is to fight until the military dictatorship and regime are completely eradicated from the motherland, and until all oppressed and marginalized people of every ethnicity and religion in Myanmar are liberated. We will stand alongside our allies in this struggle. The primary focus is to keep working relentlessly until the people are fully liberated. To achieve these goals, we will unite and fight together with all our allies, regardless of political stance.
The main goal is to completely overthrow the military regime. All ethnic groups and the people of Burma must have equal rights. They should have the right to learn their mother language and literature, speak their language, and develop their culture. Everyone deserves equal rights. When the Bamar region gains access to the internet, the mountainous regions will have the same. When the Bamar region receives electricity, the mountainous regions will have the same. We will march towards a prosperous system that guarantees such equality and equal opportunities for all.
Sent by Shanni voice