Sagaing PDF
The Sagaing People's Defence Force (Sagaing PDF) was founded on July 18, 2021, by some union students and young people, and about three months after forming, began military operations in the Myinmu, Ye-U, Tabayin and Kani areas. It was founded with the aim of "from the liberation of the Sagaing region to the liberation of the federal union". The founding student youths received military training at Brigade 8 of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and after returning to their area gave cascade trainings and basic military training to local young people, forming the Sagaing People's Defence Force.
The Sagaing People's Defence Force (Sagaing PDF) was founded on July 18, 2021, by some union students and young people, and about three months after forming, began military operations in the Myinmu, Ye-U, Tabayin and Kani areas. It was founded with the aim of "from the liberation of the Sagaing region to the liberation of the federal union". The founding student youths received military training at Brigade 8 of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and after returning to their area gave cascade trainings and basic military training to local young people, forming the Sagaing People's Defence Force.
The Sagaing People's Defence Force is an armed force standing separately, not under the command of the National Unity Government (NUG)'s Ministry of Defence, and appears to aim to operate across the whole Sagaing region rather than as a township-based people's defence force. Its leaders say that, although not under the NUG Ministry of Defence's command, it takes part in operations and battles carried out in the Sagaing region.
"As for whether there are currently talks with the NUG, for now we don't yet have political talks with them. On the ground, our commanders and NUG commanders coordinate and work together. We fight battles together."
"As the Sagaing PDF, we cooperate with any armed group in Sagaing Region that is aimed at the revolution against military dictatorship," one leader said in an interview with Myanmar Now.
However, the Sagaing People's Defence Force has close relations with the Committee Representing the Sagaing Federal Unit Hluttaw, and on June 23, 2025, it was announced that the two organizations had met to discuss cooperation.
The Sagaing People's Defence Force has close relations with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA); a leader wrote that from its founding it was able to meet TNLA leaders and received substantial arms and ammunition from the TNLA, which allowed it to equip itself. It has also issued a statement welcoming the formation of the Ta'ang Land Council (TLC) and sent a message for Ta'ang National Revolution Day.
The Sagaing People's Defence Force says it also provides military help in allied EROs' territories, but has not specified this. Mawng News reported that the Sagaing PDF continues to stand with allied help and public support, collects no taxes or levies from the public, and moves forward only on donations given willingly by the people.
The Sagaing People's Defence Force has declared that it aims to operate militarily across the whole Sagaing region, and it is currently seen fighting in battles and operations in Sagaing and Monywa districts.