SUMMARY

MDA – LM (Mongko Defence Army – Lin Min Faction) was a very short-lived paramilitary group active in the Mongko area of the Kokang region in the Shan State of Myanmar (Burma), located in the immediate vicinity of the Chinese border. The group was a splinter from MDA (Mongko Defence Army), a paramilitary group controlling, through a cease-fire agreement with the Government of Myanmar (Burma), parts of the Shan State.

MDA – LM was formed in late October 2000, when internal disputes inside MDA determined two important MDA members, Lin Min and Khong Lao-Su to contest the authority of Mong Sala, MDA’s leader. A series of violent clashes between the two groups ensued in the aftermath of the event, taking place throughout late October 2000 and early November 2000. On 24 November 2000, during a meeting of both factions convened by Mong Sala, persons associated with MDA killed Lin Min. This event triggered the intervention of the Myanmarese (Burmese) Army, which attacked and destroyed both factions by the evening of 25 November 2000. Khong Lao-Su, the other leader of MDA – LM presumably fled to China, while rank-and file members of MDA – LM either disbanded or joined other paramilitary groups such as UWSA (United Wa State Army).

MDA – LM has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.