Burma-Myanmar: Red Shan form Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) in northern Burma after demand for new state
The “Red Shan” of northern Burma announced the formation of their armed group, the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), on social media last week, amidst calls for their own state in parliament.
Described as an independent organization “not under any other group,” the SNA claims to represent the Shan peoples of northern Burma. With a population estimated at 300,000, the Red Shan—translated to Shan-ni in Burmese and Tai-leng in Shan—largely live in southern Kachin State, particularly near Mohnyin and Bhamo, and in Sagaing Division.
“If the tiger has no fangs, the animals will not be afraid of it,” said a retired Shan-ni soldier from Kachin State, who asked not to be named. “If the people have no guns, we will not be safe. We cannot protect our area.”
He said he believes that the establishment of an armed group will give the Red Shan a more prominent role in Burma’s political dialogue, which was initiated this month with a five-day conference in Naypyidaw; a commonly held perception is that arms allow for demands to be taken more seriously at Burma’s negotiating table.