epa07511133 UWSA soldiers carrying rocket propelled grenade launchers march past during a parade held to mark the 30th anniversary of Wa State in Panghsang, also called Pang Kham of autonomous Wa region, north-eastern Myanmar, 17 April 2019. United Wa State Army (UWSA) celebrated the 30th anniversary of Wa State founding in Panghsang, the administrative capital of the Wa independent region. Wa declared itself as an independent State on 17 April 1989. Although the government of Myanmar does not recognize the
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), based in northern Shan State, is preparing to recruit 2,000 new soldiers each in the southern and northern regions of Wa State, totaling 4,000 new recruits, according to Wa News Land. This recruitment drive is reportedly aimed at maintaining regional security and stability in their controlled territories.
On April 3, a military parade ceremony for new recruits was held in the UWSA-controlled Southern Military Region 171. High-ranking military officials from the southern military region attended the ceremony, which included a graduation ceremony for over 200 officer cadets and new recruits from Brigade 778. This marks the first phase of the planned recruitment of 4,000 new soldiers.
Additionally, on March 9, Brigade 318 based in the northern region held a winter military training graduation ceremony in Ah Han village, Ho Pang district. The ceremony featured graduates from various ethnic backgrounds, including Kachin, Lahu, Shan, Wa, Akha, and Lisu ethnicities. This multi-ethnic training approach is seen as an effort to promote unity among different ethnic groups in the region. The UWSA’s systematic recruitment and training programs demonstrate their continued focus on maintaining and expanding their military capabilities while emphasizing ethnic inclusion and cooperation within their controlled territories.
