Chinland Defense Force Explained

Chinland Defense Force
Native Name:ချင်းဒေသကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်ဖွဲ့
Native Name Lang:my
Dates: – present
Country:Myanmar
Allegiance: Myanmar
Area:Chinland
Magway Region
Sagaing Region
India-Myanmar border
Ideology:Federalism
Democracy
Minority rights
Clans:
  • CDF Kanpetlet
  • CDF Mindat
  • CDF Hakha
  • CDF Matupi
  • CDF Paletwa
  • CDF Thantlang
  • CDF Mara
  • CDF Zanniat
  • CDF Zotung
  • CDF Zophei
  • CDF Lautu
  • CDF Senthang
  • CDF Tonzang
  • PDF Zoland
  • CDF Hualngoram
  • CDF (CDM) Siyin
  • CDF KKG
  • CDF Daai
  • CNO/CNDF (Falam)
  • Asho Chin defence force(ACDF)
Allies:
Opponents:State opponents: Myanmar (SAC)

Non-state opponents: Zomi Revolutionary Army[4]

Battles:Internal conflict in Myanmar

The Chinland Defense Force (Burmese: ချင်းဒေသကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်ဖွဲ့|lit=Chin Region Defense Army|translit=Chīn Deithạ Kakweyēi Tathpwẹ; abbreviated: CDF) is a rebel group in Myanmar. It was formed in response to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état to protect Chin State from the military junta. The CDF claims that they do not attack the military without cause and that they always issue a warning, such as releasing detainees and refraining from using violence against civilians. If the military does not respond, guerrilla or other action follows. They promise to return their weapons and disband if the revolution is successful.[5] CDFs are members of CJDC (Chinland Joint Defense Committee). Chinland Joint Defense Committee (CJDC) is formed to serve Chin people's security services and protect an enemy from the illegal Myanmar Army. The total strength of active personnel under the command of CJDC is approximated to be around 15,000. From August to October 2021, it was reported that at least 40 clashes occurred between junta troops and CDF in various townships. CJDC claimed that at least 1,029 Tatmadaw soldiers were killed in the clashes and lost 58 of their own in 2021.[6]

History

Following the February 2021 coup in Myanmar, many protests occurred against the new military junta. Coup opponents peacefully protested by banging pots and pans at night and staging online and offline strikes.[7] The Military Council responded harshly using violence to quell the protests, arresting citizens and torching homes.[8] Civilian militias began to spring up throughout the country to oppose the coup and to ensure the safety of their own areas. Two ethnic armed organizations operated in Chin State, the Chin National Front's Chin National Army and the Zomi Revolutionary Army. However, the groups were unable to properly reach and safeguard the Chin townships, prompting the formation of the Chinland Defense Force on April 4, 2021.[5] [9]

Chin Infighting

On 31 January, 2024, the CDF-Mara, CDF-Paletwa, CDF-Thantlang, CDF–Zophei, CDF-Lautu, and CDF–Senthang, alongside the Chin National Army (CNA), launched an offensive on Chin Brotherhood Alliance member the Maraland Defence Force after the MDF reportedly killed a CNA soldier and detained several CDF-Mara soldiers.[10]

Goals

The Chinland Defense Force's stated goals are to protect civilians from the ruling military junta, abolition of the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar, an end to military rule, and the establishment of a federal union.[5]

Weapons

The Chinland Defense Force has used small arms such as the M-16, AK (Kalashnikov), MA-1 and Tu Mee hunting rifles.[11] [12] International importers bring M-16s and AK-47 rifles into Myanmar.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: CDF-Mindat admits receiving military training and arms from Arakan Army. 28 April 2022. BNI. 4 May 2022. 4 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220504111149/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/cdf-mindat-admits-receiving-military-training-and-arms-arakan-army. live.
  2. Web site: Chin National Front Signs Deal with Myanmar's Shadow Govt. The Irrawaddy. 30 May 2021. 29 May 2021. 21 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211121112304/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/chin-national-front-signs-deal-with-myanmars-shadow-govt.html. live.
  3. Web site: PRA and CDF join forces attack military production factory in Ngape. 22 March 2022. Ludunwayoo. 24 March 2022. 27 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230727112519/https://www.ludunwayoo.com/news-mm/2023/02/09/67324/. live.
  4. Web site: Paul Lu: ZRO/ZRA Has Abducted And Killed Our CJDC Members . 2022-06-28 . Burma News International . en . 28 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628210211/https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/paul-lu-zrozra-has-abducted-and-killed-our-cjdc-members . live .
  5. Web site: Who are the Chinland Defense Force (CDF), Chin Myanmar. www.myanmarspeaks.com. 23 March 2022. 12 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220512221723/https://www.myanmarspeaks.com/posts/who-are-the-chin-defence-force-myanmar. live.
  6. News: Resistance fighters in Chin killed 'more than 1,000' junta troops last year. January 28, 2022. Swe. Nyein. Myanmar Now. https://web.archive.org/web/20220805024631/https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/resistance-fighters-in-chin-killed-more-than-1000-junta-troops-last-year. August 5, 2022.
  7. Web site: Offline and Online, Protests Are Sweeping Across Asia. thediplomat.com. 24 March 2022. 24 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220324064720/https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/offline-and-online-protests-are-sweeping-across-asia/. live.
  8. Web site: Myanmar Junta Holds Women and Children Hostage in Sagaing. 22 March 2022. The Irrawaddy. 24 March 2022. 24 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220324072036/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-holds-women-and-children-hostage-in-sagaing.html. live.
  9. News: 'Burn it all down': How Myanmar's military razed villages to crush a growing resistance. Kelly. Meg. Mahtani. Shibani. Lee. Joyce Sohyun. https://web.archive.org/web/20211223143831/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2021/myanmar-military-burn-villages-tatmadaw/. December 23, 2021. Washington Post.
  10. News: Fighting intensifies between Chin revolutionary forces in Chin’s Maraland . 3 February 2024 . Myanmar Peace Monitor.
  11. News: Myanmar Seizes Western Town After Heated Battle with Civilian Militia. Stranglo. Sebastian. May 17, 2021. The Diplomat. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406024547/https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/myanmar-seizes-western-town-after-heated-battle-with-civilian-militia/. April 6, 2023.
  12. Web site: 'Tumee' rifle is weapon of choice for anti-coup fighters in Myanmar's Chin state. December 21, 2021. youtube.com. Radio Free Asia. https://web.archive.org/web/20230524224354/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYuaq1F8h1o&gl=US&hl=en. 24 May 2023. 24 May 2023. bot: unknown.
  13. Web site: Taking Aim at the Tatmadaw: The New Armed Resistance to Myanmar's Coup. International Crisis Group. June 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325112139/https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/b168-taking-aim-tatmadaw-new-armed-resistance-myanmars-coup. March 25, 2023.

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