CNI News
8 December 2025
There are certain differences between the political objectives of ethnic liberation revolutions and those of the pro-democracy forces’ Spring Revolution, according to Colonel Khun Oakkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO – NCA/S), which is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). He said this in an interview with CNI News.
Following the political change after 2021, People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) emerged and have been fighting together with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to overthrow the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw).
Colonel Khun Oakkar of PNLO (NCA/S) said that the political aim of ethnic armed groups is to ensure national liberation and safeguard national interests.
He said:“The political objectives of the ethnic national liberation struggle and the Spring Revolution groups are a little different.The ‘Wa’, the Palaung, the Kokang—all of them are fighting because their political goal is national liberation and ensuring national interest. But they might not try to seize power in Nay Pyi Taw.However, the Spring Revolution forces' political objective is to seize state power. There’s no reason to object to that. But ethnic armed groups aim to protect their people’s equality, self-determination, stability, peace, and interests.So when the political objectives of both sides align, they cooperate; when they don’t align, they separate.They work together when the goals coincide, and when they don’t, they go their separate ways.Because of that, you can’t label one as ‘revolutionary’ and the other as ‘not revolutionary.’”
PDF and KIA joint force
Ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) began their struggle more than 70 years ago, after Myanmar gained independence on January 4, 1947, demanding self-determination and the right to self-administration.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), on the other hand, emerged after the military removed the NLD government on February 1, 2021, claiming the 2020 general election dispute had not been resolved and the formation of a government was attempted without addressing it.
Thus, the PDFs are fighting to overthrow the Myanmar military and regain central power, while EAOs are fighting for national liberation, self-determination, and the right to self-administration.
U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies Group told CNI News that PDFs must reflect on whether their current situation truly aligns with what they had initially expected.
He said:“To put it frankly, they need to analyze whether the conditions on the ground match what they had expected.If they can reflect clearly on that, they will know what they need to do next.We have said this many times already, so I don’t want to repeat it.But during heated moments, when emotions run high, people tend to act however they want.Still, they must reconsider whether the outcome truly matches what they intended. If not, then they must decide for themselves what comes next. That depends on their own choices.”
PDF and NUG Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than
On October 27, 2023, EAOs such as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA), as well as KNDF, BNRA, BPLA, MDY-PDF, DPLA, PLA and others formed a coalition and launched Operation 1027 in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region.
Afterward, TNLA and MNDAA reached agreements with the Myanmar military to secure control over their desired territories and guarantee national interests. Following those agreements, they distanced themselves from the PDFs.
Similarly, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Arakan Army (AA), having already captured strategic territories in Rakhine State, Kachin State, and parts of Sagaing Region with the support of PDFs, are believed to be maintaining communication and coordination with the Myanmar military for negotiations, according to informed sources.
Analysts point out that while PDFs continue fighting the Myanmar military, they still lack firm territorial control and do not yet have the capability to threaten central power in Nay Pyi Taw.
