Beyond Beijing’s reach, a new resistance alliance takes shape in Myanmar

As momentum from Operation 1027, launched by the Brotherhood Alliance, slowed under sustained Chinese influence, a new resistance alignment emerged—one that could test Beijing’s ability to shape the conflict. Emerging in mid-December, the Spring Revolution Alliance (SRA) brings together armed groups from disparate fronts at a moment when questions are growing over whether Myanmar’s resistance can pursue military and political objectives without being constrained by external pressure, particularly from Beijing. The coalition, which comprises 19 armed groups, aims to secure military victory through the combined strength of resistance forces united by shared political goals. Min Han Htet, the alliance’s information officer, told Myanmar Now that the alliance could go further than other coalitions formed since the 2021 coup.“Representatives from each group represent the organisation, and we have a common enemy,” Min Han Htet told Myanmar Now, referring to the junta. “We have the same direction, the same path forward, and we want to show this unity domestically and internationally.” Political analysts say the SRA’s significance lies not only in its military coordination across regions, but in its potential to operate independently of Chinese influence. Many analysts say that for a revolutionary momentum on the scale of Operation 1027 to re-emerge, broad public participation, and not just battlefield gains, will be essential. The Spring Revolution Alliance’s emerging footprint overlaps with areas where Chinese influence has been most pronounced, sharpening questions over whether the group can pursue military objectives without outside restraint. In Chin State, the Chin Brotherhood (CB), a close ally of the Arakan Army (AA), controls four major towns—Matupi, Mindat, Kanpetlet and Falam—placing more than half of the state beyond junta control. The AA, which operates along China’s western corridor and faced sustained Chinese pressure during Operation 1027, maintains ties with several SRA-linked forces.Salai Yaw Man, the group’s spokesperson, told Myanmar Now the coalition's activities are just getting started."We're just at the beginning,” he said. “Organisation processes are done. Military operations will come next. Only when there are successful military operations will the people believe. And there's still a lot to do for this.” Two Shan State–based Pa-O resistance groups, the Sagaing Region People’s Defence Forces and the Myanmar Student Resistance Force (MSRF) in southern Myanmar are allied with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), another ethnic armed organisation recently impacted by Chinese mediation. Clashes have already spread into Magway Region, where SRA-affiliated Bamar Army (BA) fighters have taken part in recent attacks in Sin Hpyu Kyun and Salin townships. BA members also said they fought alongside the AA in Kyaukphyu, a strategic Rakhine town where Chinese interests are concentrated, with AA representatives later attending the group’s anniversary ceremony on January 1.‘Real military combat capabilities’ Fighters now linked to the Spring Revolution Alliance have already operated together across multiple fronts. Members of the Karenni resistance and Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA) said they fought alongside the Kokang army’s Ethnic Nationalities’ Brigade 611 ahead of Operation 1027, taking part in battles to seize Hsenwi, Kunlong, Laukkai and Chin Shwe Haw in northern Shan State. The Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA) also fought alongside the TNLA in operations to capture Nawnghkio and Kyaukme, while two Pa-O resistance groups later joined KNDF-led offensives in Karenni State and nearby Mobye and Pekon in southern Shan State. Each group within the alliance brings distinct battlefield strengths, said Captain Zin Yaw, a defector from the military who has joined the Civil Disobedience Movement."There are quite a lot of groups with real military combat capabilities,” Zin Yaw said. “Some haven't fought before, but have strong organisational capacity. This kind of formation is good for morale.” The Spring Revolution Alliance marks the first major consolidation of resistance forces in years, bringing together armed groups that fall outside the National Unity Government’s (NUG) command structure and the country’s major ethnic armed organisations. SRA spokesperson Min Han Htet said the coalition consulted with NUG officials and ethnic armed organisations during its formation and maintains good relations with them, but was created to unite groups not formally aligned with either bloc, while noting the successes of the Brotherhood Alliance. He added operation 1027 succeeded in part because the military was stretched across multiple fronts and faced broad public resistance nationwide, a strategy SRA now hopes to build on.During Operation 1027, resistance forces overran large swathes of northern Shan State, inflicting some of the junta’s worst territorial losses since the 2021 coup. But as fighting dragged on along the China–Myanmar border, Beijing stepped in, pressuring the Brotherhood Alliance into negotiations by restricting cross-border trade and mobility in areas under their control. Talks hosted in China eventually forced key resistance groups to withdraw from several towns, allowing the military to regain ground. Beijing denied interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs, framing its role as stabilising a volatile border. Analysts say the intervention nonetheless gave the junta crucial breathing space. Sources say that by contrast, the groups forming the new SRA are largely based away from the China border, limiting Beijing’s ability to apply the same leverage—a factor that could shape the conflict’s next phase. Leaders of SRA coalition groups meet in December 2025. (Photo: Sit Nyein Naing) ‘Collective strength’ Regarding the SRA alliance formation, many anti-junta groups have expressed joy and readiness to cooperate. The People's Liberation Army (PLA), the military wing of the Communist Party of Burma, has shown their support."Although we're not in the SRA, we will cooperate in military and political matters," PLA spokesperson Ni Ni Kyaw said.The Pa-O National Federal Council has also signaled its acceptance of the new bloc, highlighting that it could be a new force that could offer significant battlefield results."If political threats occur during the revolution, we see that we can defend with collective strength," said the council Chairman Khun Myint Tun.Previous military eras also saw resistance coalitions—such as the National Democracy Alliance Army, the National Democratic Force and the United Nationalities Federal Council—but none were able to seriously weaken the junta’s grip on power. Fourth founding anniversary of the People’s Independence Army (PIA) and basic training graduation ceremony held on December 14, 2025 (Photo: PIA) A Myanmar political observer, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said past alliances struggled to sustain cooperation because they failed to reach clear agreements on territory, a factor that remains critical for any long-term military coordination."In coalitions, even if territories don't touch, there can be problems,” the anonymous analyst said. “If territories are very close, there can be problems later with territorial division issues. Unity is key. To fight for military victory, these potential problems must be resolved in advance.”Despite not being affiliated with the NUG, SRA spokesperson Min Han Htet explained that the alliance maintains good relations with the shadow government, which oversees the majority of the People’s Defence Force units.He added that the bloc leadership are close with many of the EAOs that didn’t sign on to the alliance. Min Han Htet noted that the SRA has a combined fighting force of at least 15,000 currently active fighters across the country, and are coordinated through a joint military committee.The military analyst said the SRA’s defining strength lies in what it lacks: Chinese pressure. Unlike border-based groups, the alliance can operate without the external constraints that have shaped earlier resistance campaigns."To put it simply, this is about reducing Chinese pressure.”

Beyond Beijing’s reach, a new resistance alliance takes shape in Myanmar

The Spring Revolution Alliance brings together 19 armed groups betting that distance from the Chinese border will allow for renewed strength to fight

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