Crisis Phase (January 4, 1948-August 21, 1948): Mon nationalists began a movement for the independence of the districts of Mergue, Moulmein, Pegu, Tavoy, and Thaton, following Burma’s independence from Britain on January 4, 1948. Mon nationalists established the Mon National Defense Organization (MNDO) in March 1948. Mon insurgents led by Nai Aung Tun seized weapons from the Zarthabyin police station in Moulmein District on July 20, 1948.
Conflict Phase (August 22, 1948-July 23, 1958): Mon nationalists launched an insurgency against the government on August 22, 1948. The Mon People’s Front (MPF) led by Nai Aung Nai Aung Tun was established in 1952. The MPF agreed to a ceasefire with the Burmese government on July 19, 1958. The New Mon State Party (NMSP) was established by Nai Shwe Kyin in opposition to the Burmese government on July 20, 1958. More than 1,100 MPF insurgents formally surrendered to government troops in the Moulmein District on July 23, 1958.
Post-Conflict Phase (July 24 1958-August 28, 1971):
Conflict Phase (August 29, 1971-June 29, 1995): The Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), the armed wing of the NMSP, was established in opposition to the Burmese government on August 29, 1971. The Burmese government created the Mon state, which consisted of Thaton and Moulmein districts, in January 1974. The NMSP joined with other Burmese secessionist movements in forming the National Democratic Front (NDF) on May 27, 1975. Government troops launched a military offensive against MNLA rebels near Three Pagodas township in April 1980. The NMSP split into two factions headed by Nai Nol Lar and Nai Shwe Kyin on April 12, 1981. Nai Tala Mon, leader of the MNLA, died on September 24, 1986. On December 12, 1986, government troops launched a military offensive against MNLA rebels near Kreng Thaw. Some 20 individuals were killed in a bombing by MNLA rebels in Ye township on March 12, 1987. Two NMSP factions headed by Nai Nol Lar and Nai Shwe Kyin merged on December 9, 1987. The Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) was established by Nai Tun Thein and Nai Ngwe Thein on October 17, 1988. The Burmese government formally banned the NMSP on November 3, 1989. Government troops launched a military offensive against MNLA rebels near Three Pagodas township on February 3, 1990, and government troops captured the MNLA headquarters on February 11, 1990. On February 21, 1990, MNLA rebels attacked government troops on a train near the village of Kwanhla, resulting in the deaths of ten government soldiers. More than 65 government soldiers were killed in clashes with MNLA rebels in February 1990. More than 20 government soldiers were killed during the military offensive. Some 300 Mon insurgents attacked a police station in Ye township on March 26, 1990, resulting in the deaths of 43 rebels and four government military personnel. Government troops captured the MNLA rebel base near Bokypin township on January 21, 1991, resulting in the deaths of ten rebels and one government soldier. Government and NMSP representatives began negotiations in Moulmein (Mawlamyine) on December 29, 1993. Government and NMSP representatives signed a ceasefire agreement on June 29, 1995. Some 1,000 individuals were killed, and some 12,000 fled as refugees to Thailand during the conflict.
Post-Conflict Phase (June 30, 1995-present): The Mon Unity League (MUL) was established in 1996. Some 150 former members of the MNLA led by Aung Thaik Hym formed the Beik Mon Army (BMA) on November 6, 1996. On January 15, 1997, representatives of the NMSP and several other ethnic groups signed the Mae Tha Raw Hta Agreement. On August 26, 1997, the governments of Canada and the U.S. imposed sanctions against the Burmese government in response to human rights abuses. Colonel Nai Pan Nyunt and about 150 former MNLA rebels established the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party (HRP) on September 9, 2001. The HRP joined with the Mon National Defense Army (MNDA) to establish the Mon Restoration Army (MRA) on November 29, 2001. The HRP was renamed the Mon Restoration Party (MRP) in August 2007. On August 5, 2009, the NMSP announced that it would not agree to transition the MNLA into a Burmese government-controlled Border Guard Force (BGF). On September 1, 2010, the NMSP refused to turn over their weapons to the Burmese government. Members of the MNDA led by Major Jaloon Htaw reunited with the NMSP on January 11, 2011. Representatives of the NMSP and Burmese government signed a peace agreement in Moulmein (Mawlamyine) on February 26, 2012. Some former members of the Mon Democracy Party (MDP) and the All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) formally established the Mon National Party (MNP) on February 11, 2014. There were a reported 35,000 internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in the Mon state as of October 17, 2014. Members of the MNLA and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), clashed in Yebyu township beginning in September 2016. On January 30, 2017, representatives of the KNU and NMSP met in Tanintharyi region to discuss recent clashes between the MNLA and KNLA. The NMSP signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Burmese government in February 2018. Representatives of the NMSP and KNU signed a temporary truce on March 14, 2018. In September 2018, the AMDP, MNP, and New Mon National Party (NMNP) merged to form the Mon Unity Party (MUP). KNLA soldiers attacked a MNLA base near the village of Thee Ba Dot in Three Pagodas township on October 17, 2019, resulting in the death of one MNLA soldier. On October 22, 2019, representatives of the MNLA and KNLA held discussions following clashes near the village of Thee Ba Dot. One MNLA soldier was killed in clashes with KNLA soldiers in Ye township in Mon state on October 23, 2019. On October 25, 2019, representatives of the MNLA and KNLA agreed to a ceasefire following several days of clashes.
[Sources: Arnold et al., 1991, 229; Associated Press (AP), May 7, 1989; Degenhardt, 1988, 35; Facts on File, July 24-30, 1958; Keesing’s Record of World Events, January 1991; Langer, 1972, 1319-1320; Myanmar Times, March 14, 2018; New York Times, July 25, 1958.]