Shan State Army – South

The Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) (ရှမ်းပြည် တပ်မတော် (တောင်ပိုင်း); SSA-S, sometimes called simply the Shan State Army, though there is also a Shan State Army – North (SSA-N) ) is one of the bigger rebel factions fighting against the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) regime of Burma. The commander in chief of the SSA is Lieutenant General Yawd Serk.

The Shan State Army - South was formed by Lieutenant General Yawd Serk after Mong Tai Army/Shan State Restoration Council (MTA/SSRC) which was led by Khun Sa surrendered to Burmese Army in January 1995, in Homong Eastern Shan State.

After refused to surrender with Khun Sa on 27 January 1996, lieutenant General Sao Yawd Serk is believed to led around 800 Shan patriots in the central of Shan State and established the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) in 1996. He then urged and persuaded the patriots to stand together and resume the resistance against Burmese Army. Right after then, he was able to increase over 1000 Shan patriots fighters before returning to the Shan-Thai border.

During the staying along the Shan-Thai border, SSA-S manage to recruit significant numbers of troops and built its Headquarter. In 27 May 2000, SSA-S formed Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) to act as its political wing with 11 Central Executive Committee members to lead on the political front. General Yawd Serk was chosen to be the chairman of the RCSS. Since SSA-S is formed, it face constant attacks from the Burmese Army.

Territory
The SSA-South has 5 bases along the Thai-Burma border:
 * 1) Loi Tai leng           - its main base opposite Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son
 * 2) Loi Moong Merng   - opposite Muang District, Mae Hong Son
 * 3) Loi Lam                 - opposite Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai
 * 4) Loi Hsarm Hsip      - opposite Fang district, Chiang Mai
 * 5) Loi Gaw wann        - opposite Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai

Size and armament
Recent estimates place the size of the SSA around fifteen thousands troops. The Leader of the SSA is Lieutenant General Yawd Serk. Despite being isolated in the mountains of the Shan State, the SSA has managed to procure large quantities of weapons from both China and the United States. Unlike most rebel forces the SSA have uniforms and go through a seven week boot-camp to prepare them for combat with Government forces.

Known Equipment include the M16 rifle, AK-47, RPD, FN MAG, RPK, M79, USAS-12, Mortars, RPG-7 and M203.

Alliances
On May 21, 2005, the Shan State Army pledged to work with the Shan State National Army against the SPDC to achieve the Independence of the Shan State.

In December 2008, the Shan State Congress (SSC) was formed at Loi Taileng under the aegis of Yawd Serk. It includes non-Shan groups as well with members from: There was a Six State Military Alliance with Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Chin National Front (CNF), Kachin National Organization (KNO), Karen National Union (KNU) and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), formed earlier but dormant for some years, and Yawd Serk expressed the need to revive this in anticipation of the 2010 elections.
 * 1) Lahu Democratic Union (LDU)
 * 2) Pa-O National Liberation Organization(PNLO)
 * 3) Restoration Council of Shan State (SSA’s political arm)
 * 4) Tai Coordination Committee(TCC) and
 * 5) Wa National Organization(WNO).