Shan State National Army

The Shan State National Army (SSNA) (ရှမ်းပြည် အမျိုးသား တပ်မတော်) was an armed pro-independence Shan nationalist group fighting against the 'State Law and Order Restoration Council' (SLORC) military regime of Burma. The commander of the SSNA was Colonel Kan Yod.

History
The Shan State National Army was formed on 7 July 1995 by disgruntled members of Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) led by Colonel Kan Yod and Dae Wain. Claiming that the MTA was too much too involved in drug trafficking and too little in fighting for the Shan cause, the leaders and about 500 fighters decided to set up a separate group.

By September there were about 2,000 fighters that had joined the newly established SSNA, leaving the Ha Mong headquarters of the MTA and setting up camp in Hsipaw. The Mong Tai Army never recovered after this mass-desertion. The SSNA signed a ceasefire with the 'State Law and Order Restoration Council' at the end of 1995.

In April 2005 the troops of the Burmese military junta and the United Wa State Army conducted a joint operation against the headquarters of the Shan State National Army arresting most of their leaders. After the Burmese Military instructed the remaining fighters to leave their areas under their control and hand them over to the Tatmadaw, two of the SSNA brigades surrendered, the 11th in April and the 19th in May. Following these events Sai Yi and about 5,000 to 6,000 troops left the SSNA and joined the Shan State Army-South led by Col. Yawd Serk.

On 21 May 2005, the Shan State Army - South pledged to work with the remainder of the Shan State National Army against the SPDC to achieve the independence of the Shan State.

Fate of the SSNA Brigades
After the surrender the Shan State National Army's remaining 3 brigades joined the Shan State Army 'South' of Colonel Yawdserk in May 2005.
 * The 1st Brigade was disarmed.
 * The 6th Brigade joined the SSA-S.
 * The 9th Brigade joined the SSA-S.
 * The 11th Brigade under U Kanna was disarmed.
 * The 16th Brigade joined the SSA-S.
 * The 19th Brigade keeps the ceasefire.