Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)

Alliances

Karen National Union (KNU), Chin National Front (CNF), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Arakan Army (AA), People’s Defense Force (PDF) under the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of the National Unity Government (NUG)

Organization Name
Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)

Armed Force
Kachin Independence Army (KIA)

Political Organization

Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)

The KIO is the political wing of the organization, and its Central Committee sets the organization’s policies. The Kachin Independence Council (KIC) operates under the KIO. KIC is the administrative authority with the power to implement the KIO’s policies, issue orders, and establish internal rules and regulations.

History in Brief

Established – October 25, 1960

Headquarters – Laiza Town, Kachin State

Areas of operation – Kachin State and northern Shan State

Estimated strength – over 15,000

Leaders – Gen. N’Ban La (Chairperson), Gen. Gam Shawng (First Vice Chairperson), Sumlut Gam (Second Vice Chairperson), Lt. Gen. Wang Hkang Aung Seng La (Chief of Staff), Maj. Gen. Maran Zau Tawng (Vice Chief of Staff)

Through underground revolutionary movements, the Seven Stars group, led by seven young Kachin university students, formed the KIO on October 25, 1960, in northern Shan State.

The KIC was formed on January 15, 1961, three months after the formation of the KIO. The KIA, the organization’s military wing, was formed on February 5, 1961, in Lashio, northern Shan State, by decision of the KIC. The KIA initially operated in Lashio and Kutkai Townships and later penetrated into Kachin State, establishing their base there.

On February 24, 1994, a ceasefire agreement was signed with the military government, which was then maintained for 17 years. During the ceasefire period, the KIA established administrative mechanisms with their administration divided into four districts: Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern.

On June 9, 2011, a disagreement between the military and the KIA over the security of the Tarpein Hydroelectric Project in Momauk Township led to a resurgence of clashes. Discussions were held between the KIA, the government, and the military from 2011 to 2020 to reach a ceasefire agreement, but an agreement was never reached.

On March 11, 2021, after the military coup, the KIA resumed its offensive against the State Administration Council (SAC). People who were unable to live in their residences due to their opposition to the SAC, such as elected members of parliament, government staff who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), and young people who were willing to take up arms, were allowed to take refuge in KIA-controlled areas.

In addition, young people willing to take up arms were given military training and equipped with weapons and ammunition. Some newly formed forces, such as the People’s Defence Forces

(PDFs) and Local Defence Forces (LDFs) emerged through this arrangement and are operating under the military leadership of the KIA, while some are operating as allies.

Mission and Objectives

The original mission of the KIO/KIA was to establish a separate and independent state. The current mission of the KIO/KIA is to build a new union based on a federal system that ensures self-governance and self-determination, equality for all ethnic groups, and the right to share power and resources.

Leaders and Central Committee Members

KIO

No.	Name	Position
1	Lanyaw Zawng Hra	Patron/Advisor
2	Gen. N’Ban La	Chairperson
3	Gen. Gunhtang Gam Shawng	Vice Chairperson (First)
4	Sumlut Gun	Vice Chairperson (Second)
5	Kumhtat Hting Nan (aka) La Nan	Secretary

KIC

No.	Name	Position
1	Gen. N’ Ban La	Chairperson
2	Lt. Gen. Sumlut Gun Maw	Vice Chairperson (First)
3	Maj. Gen. Zawng Boke Htan	Vice Chairperson (Second)
4	Maj. Gen. Zau Raw	Secretary

KIA

No.	Name	Position
1	Lt. Gen. Wang Hkang Aung Seng La	Commander-in-Chief
2	Maj. Gen. Maran Zau Tawng	Deputy Commander-in-Chief

Ceasefires and Peace Process Participation

The KIA was the lead representative of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) in the peace talks that lasted from 2011 to 2015 and was involved in drafting the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) from start to finish.

Despite the ceasefire talks, the KIA’s political and military allies were excluded from the peace process by the government and military, on the basis of government’s designation of new and small military groups. This led to a breakdown in the peace talks between the two sides as the KIA embraced the principle of inclusiveness. At that time, most of the KIA’s frontlines were also in tension with the military.

In 2016, the KIA’s top leader, Gen. N’Ban La, attended the ethnic leaders’ conference led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and formed a political alliance with ethnic armed organizations based along the Myanmar-China border, including the UWSA.

This alliance group is named the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), with the UWSA taking the role of the Chairperson, the KIA as the Second-Chairperson, and the other ethnic groups, the NDAA, SSPP/SSA, MNDAA, TNLA, and AA, acting as secretaries and members.

The FPNCC has called for a new ceasefire agreement and other requests that include political demands beyond federal rights, which the KIO/KIA also supported.

The KIA has also formed a new political and military alliance with the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA as the Northern Alliance, and until August 2019, the four allies had been discussing the signing of a preliminary bilateral ceasefire agreement together with government and military representatives; however, talks later collapsed.

Organization Participation

The KIO is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), a political alliance led by the UWSP. The KIO is also a member of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), which sets policies and strategies for the National Unity Government.

Political and Military Stance since the Coup

Before the coup, the Tatmadaw and the KIA managed to maintain stability on the ground, negotiating to avoid clashes between 2019 and 2020. However, after the coup, the KIA demanded that the Tatmadaw Northern Command neither shoot at nor kill anyone protesting against the coup in Kachin State. On March 9, 2021, though, SAC troops opened fire on protesters in Myitkyina, killing two people. Three days later, on March 11, the KIA attacked SAC military camps in Hpakant and Injangyang Townships. KIA central command sent instructions to Brigades 4 and 6 in northern Shan State to attack SAC military bases while taking care to avoid Chinese gas pipelines. On March 25, the KIA attacked and captured Alaw Bum Hill, located near the Myanmar-China border, which provides military control over the Myitkyina-Bhamo highway.

The KIA has also held political talks with the NUG and provided military training to the People’s Defense Forces (PDF). Some PDF forces are operating under the military command of the KIA in Kachin State, northern Shan State, and Sagaing Region. Between 2023 and November 2024, the KIA has occupied 16 towns.

Liaison Offices

None.

Brigades

The KIA has 10 brigades, with Brigades 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11 operating in Kachin State and Brigades 4, 6, and 10 operating in northern Shan State. Until recently, the KIA only operated 10 brigades, but in May 2024, Brigade 11 was newly formed from two battalions under Brigade 3 on the Shan-Kachin border.

Under these 11 brigades, there are two mobile regiments, three special battalions, 24 regionally based battalions, and 27 mobile battalions that move between regions.

The areas of operation of the 11 brigades are as follows:

No.	Brigades	Areas of Operation
1	Brigade 1	Putao District
2	Brigade 2	Tanai Township
3	Brigade 3	Bhamo District
4	Brigade 4	Kutkai Township, Namhsan Township
5	Brigade 5	Laiza and Laisin areas, Waingmaw Township, and Sadung Township, which are all part of the headquarters area
6	Brigade 6	Muse Township, Monekoe Sub-Township, and Kyukoke (Panseng) Sub-Township
7	Brigade 7	Myanmar-China border, Panwa region, Chipwe and Phare regions
8	Brigade 8	Mogaung Township, Mohnyin Township, and the Kachin-Sagaing border, Katha Township, Banmauk Townshi,p and Hkamti Township in Sagaing Region
9	Brigade 9	Mohnyin Township and Hpakant Township
10	Brigade 10	Kutkai Township, Tarmoenye Area, along the Hseni-Kunlong Road, Manje (Lwegel) Township, and Lwedaung Region in Bhamo District
11	Brigade 11	Ruili River Basin, Au Lang Par and Shwe Ku areas in Mansi Township