In mid-December last year, four Mon revolutionary armed groups agreed to establish a unified Mon army.
Many have welcomed this agreement, hoping that collective efforts will lead to greater success. A young Mon activist stated, "If we act together, we will achieve bigger victories. We may even gain the strength to seize not just camps but towns. I hope this collaboration evolves into a unified Mon army with a single chain of command through joint military operations."
The Mon Liberation Army (MLA), the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA-AD), the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF), and the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) have committed to working together in military operations and forming a single Mon army.
According to Nai Naga, spokesperson for the Mon State Revolution Force (MSRF), if these four groups join forces and collaborate with other revolutionary groups in the Mon region, the military situation in Mon State could change significantly.
"The joint military operations won't just involve these four Mon groups. If all revolutionary forces unite in Mon State, as seen in Chin and Karenni States, and engage in battles together, it will bring major changes to the military landscape not just in Mon State but across Myanmar. I believe this will enable us to launch large-scale operations," Nai Naga explained.
Although Mon State has numerous armed groups, a political analyst observed that their lack of unity has prevented them from carrying out urban offensive operations like those in other regions.
U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, noted that the revolutionary activities of the four Mon groups, including the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship) or NMSP-AD, are expected to gain momentum in Mon State.
"For a long time, Mon State has been under the shadow of peace agreements, with very little activity. Notably, young Mon activists, who could no longer accept the New Mon State Party's compromises with the military council, formed separate groups. The NMSP remains as it is, but the NMSP-AD and its youth allies have strengthened revolutionary activities, which I believe will lead to more vigorous movements in Mon State," he said.
"The Mon region has been under the shadow of peace for a long time, but it has also been stagnant for a long time. What's remarkable is that Mon youth, unable to accept the previous peace and negotiations between the former leaders of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the military council, decided to separate and establish their own group. While the NMSP remains the NMSP, a new faction called the 'Anti-Military Dictatorship Force of the New Mon State Party' was formed. Now, with three other youth organizations joining forces with this faction, the revolutionary activities of the New Mon State Party have the potential to become even stronger. Therefore, we anticipate that revolutionary movements in the Mon region will become more robust and dynamic than ever before," he stated.
Although the unified Mon army has not yet launched joint camp-seizing or urban offensive operations, the foundation for unity has been laid, according to a Mon youth involved in civil society. This could lead to a stronger Mon resistance in the future.
"As a Mon citizen, I welcome the joint military efforts of the four Mon groups. However, I don't expect significant military changes in Mon State yet. The groups' combined forces are still limited; some don't even reach battalion strength. The current collaboration involves smaller units or task forces from each group joining for specific operations. The Mon forces also lack advanced technology and urban combat experience, making them comparatively weaker," he explained.
Despite efforts to unify the four Mon armed groups, other armed factions and revolutionary forces in the region have yet to be incorporated into these joint operations.
Nai Naga from the MSRF confirmed, "We haven't yet conducted joint operations involving all four groups. Discussions, coordination, and preparations are ongoing. While full collaboration hasn't materialized, smaller alliances involving two or three groups are working together and coordinating with other revolutionary forces for military actions."
Currently, the Mon armed groups are engaged in attacks on military council outposts with the support of other revolutionary forces.
While the Mon groups share a common goal of benefiting the Mon people, their fragmentation has left the Mon populace hesitant to fully support them, a Mon youth explained.
"I see that the Mon people's distrust stems from the lack of clear strategies among some groups and confusion over which group to support due to the sheer number of factions. If these groups unite and conduct joint operations, they would gain the backing of the Mon populace, who have been waiting for such leadership, and achieve significant victories," he said.
The Mon people and youth have welcomed and supported the unification of the four revolutionary forces into a single Mon Army, which is currently taking shape. This is anticipated to bring about significant military changes in the Mon region.
