SUMMARY
SSA-S (Shan State Army - Southern Command), sometimes also referred to as UNSSA (United National Shan State Army) was an armed organisation in Myanmar fighting against the government for autonomy and/or minority rights for the Shan population in the northeastern part of the country. When the group took the name SSA-S in 1996, it presented itself as the military wing of an alliance called SSNO (Shan State National Organisation) but this short-lived entity was replaced in 1999 by the RCSS (Restoration Council of the Shan State). The RCSS was often referred to as the political arm of SSA-S, in particular after Yawd Serk became the leader of both entities in 2000. In statements from Myanmar state media with regards to the organisation, it was often referred to as SURA (Shan United Revolutionary Army) and accused of violating a ceasefire concluded with the government under that name.
The organisation took the name SSA-S on 23 September 1996, but the core was formed several months earlier by remnants of troops which previously had been part of the MTA (Möng Tai Army.) There have been earlier organisations active in the Myanmar (Shan) conflict using the name Shan State Army, which in itself had consisted of several geographically defined military regions. However, in the early 1990s almost all armed groups fighting for Shan political rights had unified as MTA under the leadership of Khun Sa even though many forces remained autonomous in their activity. In November 1995, Khun Sa resigned as head of MTA and he negotiated a personal ceasefire with the government in January 1996, after which the scattered forces of MTA were on the run from a large-scale government offensive. On 30 January, the former MTA major Yawd Serk and some 700-800 soldiers moved out of the area under Myanmarese government control to set up their own organisation, which they originally called SURA (Shan United Revolutionary Army). After having made contacts with other remnants of the MTA forces, Yawd Serk's SURA merged with a faction of SSNA (Shan State National Army) and a breakaway faction from another group using the name SSA and which had signed a ceasefire with the government. The ceasefire group originally contested the use of the names SSA by the new organisation, why the two organisations decided to adopt the names ESSA (Eastern SSA, for the ceasefire group) and SSA-S for the active opposition force.
SSA-S has been led by Yawd Serk since its formation. He has also led the RCSS since 2000 even though he at several occasions declared a willingness to renounce the leadership of the latter organisation.
SSA-S has been involved in the intra-state and non-state categories of UCDP organised violence.
