Chin Brotherhood

Chin Brotherhood
Burmese: ချင်းညီနောင်
Seal of Chin Brotherhood
Foundation	30 December 2023
Dates of operation	30 December 2023–present
Group(s)	Chin National Defence Force Chinland Defense Force-Kanpetlet Chinland Defense Force-Matupi (Brigade 1) Chinland Defense Force-Mindat Maraland Defence Force Zoland Defence Force
Active regions	Chin State Magway Region Sagaing Region India-Myanmar border
Allies	State allies National Unity Government [1] Non-state allies Arakan Army [2] Bamar People's Liberation Army People's Defence Force
Opponents	State opponents   Myanmar (SAC) Tatmadaw   Myanmar Army North Western Command Western Command   Air Force Myanmar Police Force Border Guard Police Non-state opponents Chinland Council [3] Chin National Front Chin National Army Zomi Revolutionary Army
Battles and wars	Internal conflict in Myanmar Myanmar civil war (2021–present) Operation 1027 Battle of Kyindwe [4]

The Chin Brotherhood (CB) is a military and political alliance between several ethnic armed organisations active in Chin State, Myanmar. Formed on 30 December 2023 during the Myanmar civil war, the claimed goal of the alliance is to foster collaboration concerning affairs in Chin State and in the Chin ethnic community. ^[5] The alliance was created by local Chin people's defence forces who believed that the establishment of the Chinland Constitution, the Chinland Council, and the State of Chinland "did not adhere to democratic standards, lacked equality, and failed to represent and reflect the unity of the entire Chin ethnic group."

Conflicts with other Chin groups

On 31 January, 2024, the CDF-Mara, CDF-Paletwa, CDF-Thantlang, CDF–Zophei, CDF-Lautu, and CDF–Senthang, alongside the Chin National Army (CNA), launched an offensive on Chin Brotherhood member the Maraland Defence Force (MDF) after the MDF reportedly killed a CNA soldier and detained several CDF-Mara soldiers. ^[6] A month later, the MDF and CNA clashed in Paletwa Township near the Chin State-Rakhine State border. ^[3]

In early May, after the Chin Brotherhood captured the town of Kyindwe, the alliance accused the Chinland Council and the Chin National Front of trying to take advantage of the conflict in Chin State to occupy the town and expand their territorial control. In the same statement, it urged the CNF to prioritise attacks on the Chin State capital of Hakha and warned that the alliance would "fight back" if confrontations continued. The Chinland Defense Force-Matupi (Brigade 2), a Chinland Council member, condemned the accusations. ^[3]

Membership

Founding Members:

• Chin National Organisation (Chin National Defence Force)
• Chin National Council (Chinland Defence Force-Mindat)
• Zomi Federal Union (Zoland Defence Force)

Later Members:

• Mara Territorial Committee (Maraland Defence Force)
• Chinland Defence Force-Matupi (Brigade 1)
• Chinland Defence Force-Kanpetlet

References

1. "Kanpetlet Chinland Defense Force joins Chin Brotherhood Alliance". Khonumthung News. 30 April 2024.
2. "Chin Brotherhood Alliance Offers Partnership to AA for Mutual Protection of Rakhine and Chin People". Khonumthung News. 11 April 2024.
3. "Chin Alliances Clash Over Territory Liberated From Myanmar Junta". The Irrawaddy. 4 May 2024.
4. "Chin Anti-Regime Groups Target Town Despite Myanmar Junta Reinforcements". The Irrawaddy. 30 April 2024.
5. "Chin Brotherhood Alliance Emerges as Three Organizations Skip Chinland Council Conference, Pledging Enhanced Political and Military Cooperation". Khonumthung News. 2 January 2024.
6. "Fighting intensifies between Chin revolutionary forces in Chin's Maraland". Myanmar Peace Monitor. 3 February 2024.