CNI Interview
5 August 2025

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is carrying out military expansion in the regions where Shanni nationalities live and the territories where the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) is active, so battles are breaking out between the KIA and the SNA.

Then, the SNA has seized control of the Indawgyi region after penetrating the region and news mentioning that the SNA is tightening Kachin people there have come out.

So, every one is worried that problems between the two ethnicities will emerge in Sagaing Region and Kachin State.

CNI News interviewed Col. Say Wang Hpa, member of the SNA's Central Comittee and Associate Secretary, regarding the above-mentioned situations.

Q: The Indawhgyi region was dominated by the KIA in the past, but later the SNA penetrated into the region and has been able to control many territories there. Why does the SNA need to control the region? How important is it to the SNA?

A: Indawgyi is a territory of the local Shanni people since time long past. Towns and villages that have existed through the history have been named in Shanni. It is the proof that Indawgyi is a territory of Shanni people.

Towns and villages were founded by Shanni people and there are notable chronicles. It is Shanni region that is full with tales and legends. During the period that the KIA captured Indawgyi where most Shanni people live, they were bullied and suppressed.

So, the SNA urgently needs to protect Shanni people there. We will fight against anyone who invades the region.

While seeing a Shanni comrade and the public

Q: Now that the SNA has entered the Indawgyi region, Kachin people are fleeing, and Kachin houses are being sealed off by the SNA, most Kachin news outlets have reported. How did this happen?

A: The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) is an organization operating under the policies and leadership of the Shanni Nationalities Unity Council (SNUC).

We have five major policies, one of which is the all-round development and peaceful coexistence of the people in Upper Myanmar. We condemn any acts that can hurt any group or an ethnic person within Myanmar.

The SNA organization only seeks peace and prosperity for the people of the region. Our ethnic character does not have the habit of ‌aggressive and bully. The Kachin are our friends. We call them (Thein Phaw).

Some issues are misunderstood because some media support those who want to politically exploit. The Kachin and Shan people have been close friends in the region for many years. If you research the actions of the KIA from 1961 to the present, you will find various atrocities that the KIA committed against the Shanni people, with its desire to exterminate Shanni people.

I would like to ask them if they are demanding that the KIA's inhumane atrocities against the Shanni people for years be documented and explained. The KIA made Shanni people from various towns and villages shed tears which have not dried up so far.

So, which media outlets should we rely on to alleviate the anger and fear that every Shanni family feels because of the KIA? In fact, we should all know that the very lovely friendship traditions within Shanni region have been shattered since the emergence of the KIA.

When the SNA has seized control of the Indawgyi region

We, the SNA, explain unjust suppression. We have warned those who encourage and support injustice. We have no wish to hurt any ethnic group or anyone. The SNA is a Shanni armed group. It's  necessary to see it differently from other armed groups. It's necessary to identify the SNA. It's not regionally based militia.

It's not the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Media outlets should identify the SNA so that they can report what are really happening. The report by someone who doesn't want our organization is difficult to be a true source. So, some information needs to be realized what the true incidents on the ground are.

Q: On the other hand, the KIA is working with the PDF to seize and control SNA-controlled areas such as Homalin, Shwe Pyi Aye, Banmauk and Pinlebu in Sagaing Region. Now the KIA has already controlled Pinlebu and Shwe Pyi Aye.

They are attacking to the rest tow towns. How important are these regions militarily and economically? And how important they are to the SNA that is making an attempt to liberate Shanni people and Shan tribes?

A: Before we talk about the local socio-economics, let me talk a little about our SNA. The SNA was formed to regain the original rights that were lost just like other ethnic groups within the Union. We are displeased with that local people including Shanni people are being bullied with weapons.

So, we are trying to stabilize the regions where most Shanni people live. The KIA and its allies are attacking and capturing these regions. Pinlebu and Shwe Pyi Aye are strategic locations in the region for them. By controlling the free flow of goods up and down the Chindwin River from Shwe Pyi Aye, they can not only maintain their influence but also control the local economy as they wish.

While seeing the KIA-PDF joint force

Pinlebu is an important location for them in attacking and capturing large parts of Sagaing Region, allowing them for easy movement from Kachin State through Chin State and  Rakhine State to the sea outlet.

They are committing unjust invasions in order that they can traffick weapons and narcotic drugs from Pinlebu, Banmauk and Indaw to the routes going to Kachin State as well as from Pinlebu through Khanpat and Tamu to the routes going to the Indian border.

These actions directly affect the social lives of our Shanni people in the region. They find it difficult on the way when they transport their goods. They inordinately ask traders on the riverine route or on land. When they are not pleased, water vehicles are banned for months or seized. These actions hurt local people so much. We are trying to normalize these situations.

Q: If the KIA can control Sagaing Region, it will have the exit to the Indian border and it will build the Kachin-Sagaing-Chin-Rakhine Northwest region, and rely on the Rakhine Sea outlet.

Then, there are speculations that the KIA and its allies could hinder the ethnic liberation movement of the SNA and the Shanni ethnic groups. What do you think about these assumptions.

A: This is the assumption they hope to catty out. In reality, it is not that simple. And their strategic plan seems to be heading towards a certain destructive scenario. Here, I would like you to ask me, reforming the phrase: the ethnic liberation movement of the Shanni ethnic groups. We are those who want to achieve the equal and original rights of the ethnic groups in the Union of Myanmar.

If we can't protect our region from bad situations in time, the national cause of Myanmar and geopolitics could change. On the other hand, as there are attempts for the separate liberation, non-disintegration of the union could face the situation where it couldn't be brighter. It is the union affairs that should be focused more rather than the Shanni affairs.

Q: There are accusations that the SNA is collaborating with the Myanmar Tatmadaw in the current Spring Revolution. So, why the battles between the KIA-PDF joint forces  waging Spring Revolution and the SNA are taking place?

A: I don't want to make any comments on the Spring Revolution. Our Shanni people want to live peacefully and take pleasure in farming workplace. But when we face injustice, suppression and atrocities, we had to maintain weapons to revolutionize them.

Here, who are damaging our people and region and who are supporting to do so? These things impact on the situation we'll have to stand. The organizations that encourage and support our hope and expectations is in harmony with us.

Although we were able to understand everything regarding the Myanmar independence history, there is few who can understand the situation where Shanni people are suffering various troubles. We will fight against those who are treating us cruel. In fact, we don't to fight against any armed groups except for the armed groups that unjustly capture our region and suppress our people.

While seeing Shanni youths on the Shanni Nationalities Day

Q: What is the SNA's stance on the current political crisis in Myanmar, the Spring Revolution movement and the Myanmar Tatmadaw's attempt to change the political situation by holding elections?

A: There are currently unrests in many parts of the country. But the Myanmar Tatmadaw hasn't been able to stabilize at all. It's the situation where the country will be reconstructed.

Although elections are not perfect to remedy the situation where there are various regions ruled by various armed group leaders, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is taking responsibility for the ladder to come into the house, I think. A movement has started already, I think.

Q: Almost every ethnic group in Myanmar is struggling in various ways to achieve ethnic liberation, self-governance, and self-determination. The SNA is also working to achieve ethnic equality for the Shanni and Shan ethnic groups. Therefore, it is often said that the foundation of these processes needs public support. However, some Shanni people have questioned the actions of the SNA. Why?

A: The Shan Red National Army (SNA) has 90 moral principles that every soldier must abide by. These include how to treat the public. They are taught to strictly follow these principles in the basic military training courses and are being put into practice. We are practicing the principle that the public is our “parents.” When building national processes, public support is important.

Therefore, we try to carefully avoid doing things that can make the public misunderstand. However, some people who have been mentally dyed find it difficult to positively see what the SNA is doing.

While the SNA was shouting slogan that Shanni territory must be protected

We need to give it some time. At this time, some of our troops may have "unfriendly" relationships. We would like the people to understand this generously with a desire for national development.

If there were any such issues, I would like to apologize to those concerned. Public encouragement and support are a source of strength for our organization. There is no friction between the SNA and the people, and we oppose and condemn any actions that tarnish or destroy unity.

Q: Finally, I would like to ask. I have heard that the SNA is using weapons to bully the people within the areas they have controlled. So I don't want to say whether
 those statements are true or not, but I think it is necessary to prevent such bullies. What can you say about this situation?

A: Although the majority of people living in our region are Shani people, there are also many other ethnic groups. Although it is an SNA-controlled area, it cannot be said that everyone in the region loves the SNA.

While the Shanni Nationalities Day was being held

Just as they find fault with the work of an organization they dislike no matter how well it is doing, they are reluctant to admit the faults of an organization they like even when the work of the  organization is flawed, and they sometimes cover up some things. Therefore, we must be very careful about the development of our organization. Without real public support, we cannot stand on our own.

We have been here for over 36 years because of the support of the Shanni people. That is why we have never used weapons to oppress the people. We do not do this now. We will never do this in the future. I would like to reiterate that the SNA organization has never been a burden on the people, nor has it been an organization that has rudely bullied the people.

We have established the Civilian-Military Relations and Coordination Committee (CMRCC) to take effective action as soon as possible in the event of unresolved situations. We are trying to portray our organization as a more friendly family among the local people. We believe that with such united strength, we will be able to shape the future of the Shani people.