CNI News

9 September 2025

The Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), Colonel Khun Okkar, told CNI News that the Tatmadaw’s designation of ethnic armed organizations as “terrorist groups” and “unlawful associations” has become like a weapon that can be used whenever needed.

“Before the signing of the NCA, many groups were declared unlawful associations and terrorist organizations. But just days before the NCA was signed, those same groups were declared no longer unlawful, and no longer terrorist groups. Only after that did the peace talks and the NCA signing take place. That shows that when peace negotiations really happen and groups truly rejoin the process, the government offers relaxations. For example, even the AA (Arakan Army) was once removed from the terrorist list. But after about two years, when fighting resumed, they were redesignated as a terrorist group. So, declaring groups as terrorist or unlawful is not permanent—it’s like a tool they can use when needed. They can revoke it, or add new groups, depending on the situation.”, he said.

During the previous NLD government, under agreement with the Union government, the Anti-Terrorism Central Committee announced on March 23, 2020, that the Arakan Army (AA) was designated as a terrorist organization and unlawful association.

Northern Alliance leaders

After the political upheaval of 2021, when the Tatmadaw seized state power, it revoked the designation on March 11, 2021, removing the AA from the terrorist list.

Later, due to renewed conflict beginning in 2023 under “Operation 1027” and escalated fighting in Rakhine State, the Northern Alliance’s three groups—the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA)—were all redesignated as terrorist organizations on September 2, 2024.

Similarly, on August 28, 2025, the Karen National Union (KNU) was also declared a terrorist group and unlawful association.

Currently, four ethnic armed groups are designated as terrorist organizations. However, although the MNDAA handed back control of Lashio under China’s mediation, its designation as a terrorist group has not yet been revoked.

KNU leaders

Khun Okkar added that, at present, no group appears likely to have its terrorist designation lifted. He noted that the Tatmadaw’s stance will depend on how these groups respond to elections and the peace process:

“For now, it depends on how these four groups approach the coming election. In a heated election environment, will they cooperate or continue resisting? Before and after the election, peace processes could re-emerge in different ways. How the Tatmadaw responds will depend on those developments.”

Meanwhile, although the Kachin Independence Army/Organization (KIA/KIO) is severely waging battles against the Tatmadaw and has captured large areas of Kachin State, it has not yet been designated as a terrorist organization.

Some ethnic armed groups and revolutionary forces have already declared their opposition to the upcoming December 28, 2025, Election (Part 1). However, the KIA has only stated that it will not allow ballot boxes to be placed in its controlled areas.