Kachin conflict
Part of the internal conflict in Myanmar
Kachin Independence Army cadets in Laiza (Paul Vrieze-VOA).jpg
Cadets of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) preparing for military drills at the group's headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State.
DateFirst conflict: 5 February 1961 – 24 February 1994
(33 years, 2 weeks and 5 days)
Second conflict: 9 June 2011 – present
(11 years, 2 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Kachin State and northern Shan State
Status

Ongoing

  • Ceasefire signed between the government of Myanmar and the Kachin Independence Army in 1994
  • Resumption of hostilities in 2011 after the 17-year ceasefire is broken
Belligerents
  • Union of Burma (1961–1962)
  • Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma (1962–1988)
  • Union of Myanmar (1988–1994)
  •  Republic of the Union of Myanmar (since 2011)
  • Kachin Independence Organisation
  • (1961–1994, since 2011)
  • Arakan Army
  • (since 2011)
  • All Burma Students' Democratic Front
  • (2011–2015, since 2021)
  • National Unity Government (since 2021)

Communist Party of Burma (1971–1972, since 2021)
New Democratic Army – Kachin (1989 only)
Commanders and leaders
  • Myint Swe
  • Min Aung Hlaing
  • Soe Win
  • Mya Tun Oo
Former:
  • Win Maung (1961–1962)
  • Ne Win (1962–1988)
  • San Yu (1981–1988)
  • Saw Maung (1988–1992)
  • Than Shwe (1992–1994)
  • Wai Lwin (2011–2015)
  • Thein Sein (2011–2016)
  • Sein Win (2015–2021)
  • Htin Kyaw (2016–2018)
  • Aung San Suu Kyi (2016–2021)
  • Win Myint (2018–2021)
  • N'Ban La
  • Htang Gam Shawng
  • Twan Mrat Naing
Former:
  • Zaw Seng Executed
    (1961–1975)
  • Zaw Tu Executed
    (1961–1975)
  • Zaw Dan 
    (1961–1975)
Units involved

Tatmadaw

  •  Myanmar Army
    • 33rd Light Infantry Division insignia (Myanmar).png 33rd Light Infantry Division
  •  Myanmar Air Force
  • Kachin Independence Army
  • People's Defence Force and other civilian militias
Strength
20,000[citation needed]
  • 10,000–12,000 (2013)
  • 200 (2013)
Casualties and losses
Unknown280+ killed (2011–2014)
Since 2011:
1,687 killed
100,000+ civilians displaced

aBriefly clashed with the KIA from 1971 to 1972.

bBurmese government claim in November 2014.