21 August 2025
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), which has faced criticism for providing financial and military support to northern armed groups involved in Operation 1027 and the violent city-seizing battles across Myanmar, held a meeting today in Panghsang with three ethnic armed groups: the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Kokang National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Shan State People’s Liberation Army (SSPP). During the meeting, the UWSA announced its official decision to cease all financial and military support to these groups, as reported by WSTV on Wednesday.
Zhao Guoan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Wa Central Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs, began the meeting by briefing the military leaders from Kokang, Ta’ang, and Shan on the current war and unrest. He then conveyed the UWSA’s final decision and delivered a speech.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives from all three ethnic armed groups, as well as a delegation from the “Wa” Army – the UWSA, which announced its official military decisions during the gathering.
Zhao Guoan expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you to all the fraternal organizations for attending this important meeting. We are here to inform you of a significant decision made by the ‘Wa’ region. Before we officially announce this decision, I would like to convey, on behalf of the brothers and sisters of the ‘Wa’ region, our stance on peace and the serious situation we are currently facing.
The ‘Wa’ region will no longer provide any weapons, equipment, military assistance, or financial support to any organization, for any reason, at any time, or in any place. This decision will be publicly announced, and we urge all organizations to refrain from further disturbing the ‘Wa’ region with requests for weapons, equipment, financial support, or similar matters.”
Zhao Guoan reported that representatives from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNTJP/MNDAA), the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), and the Shan State Progressive Party/Northern Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) expressed their support for the decision made by the Wa region regarding the United Wa State Army’s (UWSA) official military stance. They stated that they would no longer provide weapons or funding to any group.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the UWSA, including Zhao Zhongdan, Zhao Guoan, Luo Yaku, Zhao Yannalai, Xiao Saibao, Bao Sanmure, Ping, Zhao the Brisaohu, and other members of the Standing Committee of the Central Political Bureau on the Wa side.
#UWSA #northern armed groups #Wa #mtnewsupdate
