The three-member Brotherhood Alliance — which consists of the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) — has provided military assistance to the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) fighting Myanmar’s military regime, according to AA deputy military chief Dr. Nyo Twan Awng.

“Our Brotherhood recognises the KNDF as a partner organisation, and we are fighting this revolution together. We will continue to either operate separately or work together in the future, depending on the situation of the country,” Dr. Nyo Twan Awng said in an online question-and-answer session regarding liberated areas on Tuesday.

“We want our ally KNDF to improve, grow bigger, and help realise the national ambitions of the Karenni people. We also urge leaders to work with patience and magnanimity,” he said.

Myanmar political analyst U Than Soe Naing said the cooperation between Brotherhood Alliance and KNDF will pose a serious threat to the regime.

“The KNDF is directly cooperating with the [parallel] National Unity Government. Brotherhood Alliance members are also members of the Federal Political and Negotiation Consultative Committee. So, the KNDF and Brotherhood Alliance have ties, but I don’t see much direct cooperation between the two sides. The KNDF has combat effectiveness in fighting the regime,” he said.

In their message ahead of the first anniversary of the KNDF on March 31 of last year, the Brotherhood Alliance vowed to provide assistance for the Kayah State-based resistance group.

The KNDF was formed in May 2021 following the military takeover in February of that year. Currently, KNDF and junta troops are engaged in heavy fighting on the border of Shan and Kayah (Karenni) states.