CNI News
18 November 2025
Military and political analysts have told CNI News Agency that the People's Defence Force (PDF) groups that emerged following the political change on February 1, 2021, are being exploited by the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs).
Currently, in some areas seized by the joint EAO-PDF forces, agreements have been reached between the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) and the EAOs, resulting in the handover or withdrawal from certain towns.
Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News that the Spring Revolution forces are unlikely to benefit from such agreements, and that the PDFs are merely being used as tools.
He stated: "In the part of the Spring Revolution, my view is that the PDFs are just being exploited. The ethnic armed organizations don't trust the central government. Since they don't trust the central government, they won't trust the PDF either. The EAOs need manpower. When they need manpower, they will use the PDFs to expand their territory. When it comes to negotiation and discussion, the PDFs will not be included. Just look at the actions of the TNLA today; it's the same. They will hand back Mogok and Momeik. Mandalay PDFs would enter Mogok. We are hearing disputes in those sections. That will proceed according to the decisions of the ethnic armed organizations. They will just use the people who come to them. That is a form of power. I would say, when they can't get manpower, they even resort to catching people. Now that PDFs are coming to them, they will use the PDFs well."
NUG and MDY-PDF leaders seen together
PDF groups that emerged after 2021 have been going to the territories of Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) to receive military training, and are then placed on the front lines to fight and seize the areas the EAOs desire.
In Operation 1027, which saw intense fighting and the seizure of significant territory, the main participating forces—the Kokang Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang Army (TNLA)—have now signed ceasefires with the Myanmar military. Furthermore, their withdrawal from and handover of some seized towns back to the Myanmar military have caused disagreements with the joint PDF forces.
Similarly, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has utilized the strength of PDFs in the Sagaing Region and Kachin State to launch town-seizing battles and has now secured territories rich in natural resources and trade benefits. However, the KIA is also secretly attempting to contact and negotiate with the Myanmar military, and is currently coordinating a meeting location.
KIA and PDF seen together
Political analyst Sai Mein told CNI News that if groups only look out for their own national interests, the collaborations and alliances will remain artificial.
He commented: "If organizations, including the Military Commission, do not lead with genuine sincerity in our country, the collaborations will be fake. And the Union will be a fake Union. Alliances will become fake alliances. This is because everyone is only looking out for their own national interests. The TNLA is also like that now. The TNLA only looks out for its national interests. It does not consider the interests of the PDFs. It also does not consider the interests of the Union as a whole. So, in the current practical situation, that is how things will remain."
Military and political analysts point out that the EAOs have gained a large number of armed personnel from the PDFs to fight the Myanmar military and seize and control territory.
They further point out that in this scenario, the PDFs are the ones primarily suffering the loss of manpower and damage, while the EAOs reap the political benefits.
