SUMMARY

Violence between MDA (Mongko Defence Army) and MDA – LM (Mongko Defence Army – Lin Min faction) was a direct result of the formation of MDA – LM through the splintering of MDA. While the exact reasons that led to the splintering of MDA are not known, they may be connected to the drug trade, as MDA was active in producing and smuggling heroin in what is one of the largest drug-producing areas of the world, the Golden Triangle.

Violence started in late October 2000, when a group led by Lin Min and Khong Lao-Su challenged the authority of Mong Sala, then-current leader of MDA. A series of violent clashes ensued in and around Mongko town in the Kokang area of Shan State, where supporters of Lin Min and those of Mong Sala clashed for control of the group.

While no reports of fatalities exist for the events occurring in late October and early November 2000, there is evidence that Mong Sala, the leader of MDAwas briefly imprisoned, but managed to escape and rejoin his followers. Violence escalated on 24 November 2000, when, during a meeting of the two factions, supporters of Mong Sala attacked and killed Lin Min. In the ensuing violence, approximately 70 other deaths were recorded.

Violence between MDAand MDA – LM ended with the intervention of the Myanmarese army on 25 November 2000. The army ended the ceasefire that had been in force between the Government of Myanmar(Burma and MDAsince 1995, attacking and destroying both MDA and MDA – LM. Mong Sala was taken into custody while Khong Lao-Su fled, presumably to nearby China, with both organizations being disbanded in the aftermath.

The non-state conflict between MDA and MDA – LM is first included in UCDP data in 2000. In November of that year, clashes between the two groups had resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.