Armed resistance groups along the Shan–Karenni border have united to establish the No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye.

A conference among stakeholder groups to establish the new coalition was held on January 28–29, followed by the implementation of subsequent steps.

Tactical Operations 1 and 8 of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), together with several Mobye People’s Defence Force (PDF) factions and a local resistance battalion operating around Mobye (Mongpai) in Pekon Township, southern Shan State, and along the border with neighboring Karenni State, have joined the newly formed No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye, established on April 20.

“Armed groups based in Mobye, Pekon, and Karenni State have come together under the No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye. However, some local groups have not joined, and a few have already said they do not plan to,” said a source close to the coalition.

According to the new coalition’s announcement, all resistance fighters—regardless of their group affiliations—will fight under the same No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye badge.

Resistance forces within the No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye have been active across key towns along the Shan–Karenni border—including Pekon, Mobye, Pinlaung, and Pawnglawng—with operations extending westward to the outskirts of the capital, Naypyidaw, the source added.

The inauguration ceremony of the No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye, held on April 20, was attended by KNDF Chairman Khun Bedu, members of its Central Committee, officials from the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC), and representatives of Kayan literary and cultural organizations.

No. 1 Alpha Military Region-Mobye will operate under the joint political, military, and administrative leadership of the IEC's Department of Defence, the Karenni Military Coordination Committee, and the KNDF.