SUMMARY

Founded: 1 November, 1988

Headquarters: KNU Controlled Territories

Active Territories: Within KIA and KNU-controlled territories

Branches: US and Australia

Strength: More than 1500

Chair – Comrade Than Khae

Vice-Chair – Comrade Myo Win

General Secretary– Comrade Sonny

The ABSDF, which was born out of the democratic uprising in 1988, signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on 15 October 2015, and participated in the peace process. The ABSDF faced a lot of criticism as it attended a ceremony to mark the sixthnniversary of the NCA held by the military council. It issued a statement on 24 October 2021, saying that attending the ceremony was not the central committee’s decision.

At around 5 pm on 2 November 2021, the military council soldiers and police members arrived at the liaison office of the ABSDF in Myawaddy and then arrested four people, including leaders Aung Baw and Tin Soe. Regarding the military council’s invitation for peace, the ABSDF chair has said that peace cannot be achieved through dialogue with the ethnic armed resistance organizations. The ABSDF’s name is included in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), which is working towards the end of military dictatorship, with the union vision of building a peaceful federal democratic union which guarantees freedom, justice and equality.

In its statement on the 34th anniversary of the establishment on 1 November 2022, it has trained and grouped the new generation comrades and is fighting the military council together with its allies. Acting President of the NUG Duwa Lashi La praised and honoured the ABSDF for teaching military tactics and strategies for the new generation during the Spring Revolution and the handover of advantages and disadvantages to the revolutionary armed forces.

In his speech delivered at the ABSDF’s 34th anniversary celebration held at Daung Taman camp on 1 November 2022, ABSDF Chairman, Comrade Than Khae said that at present it must stand with the public and the Spring Revolution and establish a new country that is free from the military dictatorship for future generations.

On the 35th anniversary of the 8888 Democracy Uprising on 8 August 2023, the ABSDF issued a statement saying that it regards the armed revolution as a main struggle of the current Spring Revolution and called on all the forces that are fighting against the military dictatorship to work in unity. In the current Spring Revolution, the ABSDF has already established links with Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), including the National Unity Government (NUG).

Ceasefires and Peace Process
Signed NCA – October 15, 2015
Fighting after signing NCA
2015-16 – unknown

Official Representative Team
U Myo Win (UPDJC)
Salaing Yaw Aung (JMC)

Liaison Offices
1. Myawaddy
2. Muse
3. Proposed – Loikaw, Kalay, Phayathounsu and Myeik

Alliances
ABSDF Northern Myanmar camps are in KIA controlled area

Contact
Email : [email protected]

Phone:+66 808 7725

CEC Members
1. Comrade Than Khe – Chairman
2. Comrade Myo Win – Vice Chairman
3. Comrade Sonny – General Secretary
4. Comrade Myint Oo – Secretary 1
5. Comrade Htut @ Hla Htay – Secretary 2
6. Comrade Lwan Ni – CEC
7. Comrade Mi Su Pwint @ Ma Lay Lone – CEC
8. Comrade Maung Oo – CEC
9. Comrade Salaing Yaw Aung – CEC

Ceasefire & Peace Process

NCA signed: 15 October 2015

# Post-NCA Signed Clashes:
2015-16: unknown

The ABSDF is a student army that formed after the 1988 uprisings. Their objective is to fight for democracy and human rights in Myanmar alongside other democratic and ethnic nationality forces. They have 7 camps along the Myanmar-Thailand border, 3 camps along the Myanmar-India border and 3 camps on the Myanmar-China border. The ABSDF also has foreign branches in the US and Australia.