The
Shan State Army was founded on 24 April 1964 and the Shan State Progress Party was founded in 1971 as the political wing of the SSA. In 1989, the SSPP signed a ceasefire in 1989 after negotiations with the
State Peace and Development Council and was able to obtain a degree of autonomy for the areas under its control, establishing the
Special Region 3 of the Shan State. This area included Nam Kham, Langkho, Hsipaw, Kyauk Mae, Mong Hsu, Tang Yang, Mongyai, Kehsi and Lashio Township. The size of the armed group at that time was of about 4.000 fighters. Even after having signed a ceasefire, the
Burmese military continued to attack the Shan State Army (SSPP) areas. Although the SSPP/SSA is more conciliatory towards the government than other armed Shan separatist groups, in 2005 it abandoned its base rather than disarm. At one point the Burmese government wished the Shan State Army (SSPP) to join its border guard force. Two of the three brigades reportedly agreed to join the border guard, while the other refused.
Renewed hostilities In 2014, the group clashed with the Burmese army in Kehsi Mansam Township, home to the SSPP/SSA Wanhai headquarters. Beginning on 6 October 2015, a large scale offensive by the
Tatmadaw comprising 20 Burma Army battalions has been launched in central Shan State. The military aims to seize Shan ceasefire territories in
Kehsi,
Mong Nawng,
Mong Hsu and
Tangyan townships, using heavy artillery and with fighter jet and helicopter gunship air support to indiscriminately shell and bomb civilian areas. These attacks have displaced thousands of
Shan,
Palaung,
Lisu and
Lahu people causing a new humanitarian crisis.
2021–2024 Myanmar Civil War On 30 November 2023, SSPP/SSA declared a truce with
Shan State Army (RCSS), with the SSPP/SSA stating that they intended to unite in the future. The SSPP/SSA was criticized for detaining parents and forcefully training them with weapons until at least one of their sons joins their ranks. ==Organisation==