God's Army (revolutionary group): Difference between revisions

God's Army
God's Army
ဘုရားသခင်၏ တပ်မတော်
Leaders	Johnny and Luther Htoo
Dates of operation	1997–2006
Active regions	Kayin State; Myanmar–Thailand border
Ideology	Karen interests; Christian extremism
Size	500 (peak)
Allies	Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors (alleged)
Opponents	Union of Myanmar Tatmadaw;
Battles and wars	Internal conflict in Myanmar Karen conflict; 1999 Myanmar Embassy siege (disputed);

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God's Army (Burmese: ဘုရားသခင်၏ တပ်မတော်) was a Christian armed revolutionary group that opposed the then-ruling military junta of Myanmar (Burma).^[2]^[3] The group was an offshoot of the Karen National Union. They were based along the Thailand-Burma border, and conducted a string of audacious guerrilla actions including allegedly being involved in the seizure of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok in 1999. They have been described as a terrorist organisation.^[4]^[5]

Formation

God's Army was formed in an area of eastern Burma populated by the Karen ethnic group, who had been fighting against Burmese army at various times for over fifty years, primarily through the Karen National Union. In the early 90s the Burmese army launched a major operation to secure the route of an oil pipeline through the area.^[6]^[7] God's Army was led by brothers Johnny and Luther Htoo beginning in 1997, who were at that time estimated to be only ten years of age. Some of the followers of the twins believed that they had "Animist and Christian powers".^[8] According to the legend among followers, the twins were the only two who defended their village from the Burmese authorities who had constantly persecuted their people for their Christian beliefs and for a desire for ethnic autonomy.^[9] The Burmese authorities had destroyed villages, killed Karen fighters, raped dozens of women and caused thousands to flee.^[9] The members believed the brothers shouted "God's Army!", leading them to a victory over Burmese troops.^[10] The legend of the boys was embraced by locals who viewed the existing Karen National Union as corrupt and ineffective.^[6] Some of its members also called themselves as ''Jesus Warriors'' or ''Jesus Commandos''. According to Kwe Htoo, the name of the group was Kaserdoh God's Army.^[11]

Activity

God's Army^[2] was situated in mountainous rainforests along the border between Burma and Thailand.^[10] They were a band of Christian guerrillas who maintained an austere lifestyle, including abstinence from sexual intercourse, alcohol, milk, eggs, and pork. The group was estimated to have around 500 fighters in 1998, but gradually declined to anywhere between 100 and 200 men in early 2000. Many left to find work to support their refugee families while others are thought to have left for personal reasons. Meanwhile, the Burmese army had 21,000 troops in the area.^[1] In October 1999, a group calling themselves Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors along with the God's Army seized the Burmese embassy in Bangkok and the situation ended with their departure, at which point they were taken in by God's Army.^[12] The Burmese Government called the attack "a pure act of terrorism" and in Washington the State Department, which has been critical of the Burmese military regime, also condemned what it called "a terrorist attack".^[13]

In January 2000, 10 members of God's Army seized a hospital in Ratchaburi, Thailand.^[4] The group held about 500 patients and staff members hostage for 22 hours. They demanded the Thai government stop shelling Karen positions in Burma and treatment for their wounded. They planted "booby" traps in the hospital and threatened to blow up the hospital.^[9] Thai security forces stormed the hospital, killing all 10 of the gunmen.^[10] After the raid, God's Army were strenuously pursued by the Tatmadaw (Burmese armed forces) and shunned by other Karen rebels.

Surrender and disbandment

In January 2001, the Htoo twins and the less than 20 remaining members of God's Army surrendered to Thai soldiers and requested sanctuary.^[12] They abandoned the Karens' goal of an autonomous or independent homeland, in exchange for permission to stay in Thailand.

In July 2006, Johnny Htoo surrendered to Burma's military government with eight other members of God's Army in two groups.^[14]

References

^ ^a ^b Mydans, Seth (1 April 2000). "Burmese Rebel Chief More Boy Than Warrior". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
^ ^a ^b "God's Army". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023.
^ Terry McCarthy and Robert Horn (7 February 2000). "Leading God's Army". Time. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008.
^ ^a ^b Richburg, Keith B. (24 January 2000). "Child Terrorists Hold Hundreds Hostage in Thailand". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023.
^ "God's Army -- Myanmar | Terrorist Groups | TRAC". www.trackingterrorism.org. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Two little boys". The Guardian. London. 27 July 2000. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2012. The cameras found the students in the camp of the twins, who were nine years old at the time
^ "Terrorist Organization Profile: God's Army". National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2012. Johnny and Luther Htoo, twin brothers who were only nine years old when they formed the God's Army.
^ Richard S. Ehrlick (27 July 2006). "Bizarre 'God's Army' Led By Young Boys Surrenders". Global Politician. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c Aglionby, John (25 January 2000). "God's Army holds hundreds hostage". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c "The Twin Terrors". Time. 7 February 2000. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
^ "God's Army: The Reason for the Burmese Embassy Siege". Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2018 – via PressReader.
^ ^a ^b "Burmese Rebel Twins and 14 Followers Surrender in Thailand". The New York Times. 17 January 2001. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
^ "BBC News | Asia-Pacific | Embassy gunmen flee". news.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
^ "Myanmar Teen Rebel Leader Surrenders". Las Vegas Sun. 25 July 2006. Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2009.

[nyt-1] Mydans, Seth (1 April 2000). "Burmese Rebel Chief More Boy Than Warrior". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2013.

[:0-2] "God's Army". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023.

[3] Terry McCarthy and Robert Horn (7 February 2000). "Leading God's Army". Time. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008.

[richburg-4] Richburg, Keith B. (24 January 2000). "Child Terrorists Hold Hundreds Hostage in Thailand". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023.

[5] "God's Army -- Myanmar | Terrorist Groups | TRAC". www.trackingterrorism.org. Retrieved 23 February 2018.

[guardian-6] "Two little boys". The Guardian. London. 27 July 2000. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2012. The cameras found the students in the camp of the twins, who were nine years old at the time

[7] "Terrorist Organization Profile: God's Army". National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2012. Johnny and Luther Htoo, twin brothers who were only nine years old when they formed the God's Army.

[gp-8] Richard S. Ehrlick (27 July 2006). "Bizarre 'God's Army' Led By Young Boys Surrenders". Global Politician. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013.

[Aglionby-9] Aglionby, John (25 January 2000). "God's Army holds hundreds hostage". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2018.

[time-10] "The Twin Terrors". Time. 7 February 2000. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2013.

[11] "God's Army: The Reason for the Burmese Embassy Siege". Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2018 – via PressReader.

[nytimes-12] "Burmese Rebel Twins and 14 Followers Surrender in Thailand". The New York Times. 17 January 2001. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2013.

[13] "BBC News | Asia-Pacific | Embassy gunmen flee". news.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2018.

[14] "Myanmar Teen Rebel Leader Surrenders". Las Vegas Sun. 25 July 2006. Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2009.

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@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 {{infobox war faction
 |name = God's Army
-|native_name ={{my|ဘုရားသခင်၏ တပ်မတော်}}
+|native_name ={{lang|my|ဘုရားသခင်၏ တပ်မတော်}}
 |native_name_lang =my
 |war = the [[Internal conflict in Myanmar]]
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 |website =
 }}
-'''God's Army''' ({{lang-my|ဘုရားသခင်၏ တပ်မတော်}}) was a [[Christian]] armed revolutionary group that opposed the then-ruling [[State Peace and Development Council|military junta of Myanmar]] (Burma).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/gods_army.htm|title=God's Army|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004755/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/gods_army.htm|archive-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Leading God's Army|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,996004-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417055344/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,996004-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2008|author=Terry McCarthy and Robert Horn|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=7 February 2000}}</ref> The group was an offshoot of the [[Karen National Union]]. They were based along the [[Thailand]]-Burma border, and conducted a string of audacious [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] actions including allegedly being involved in the [[1999 Myanmar Embassy siege|seizure of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok]] in 1999. They have been described as a [[Terrorism|terrorist organisation]].<ref name=richburg/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/gods-army-myanmar|title=God's Army -- Myanmar {{!}} Terrorist Groups {{!}} TRAC|website=www.trackingterrorism.org|language=en|access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref>
+'''God's Army''' ({{langx|my|ဘုရားသခင်၏ တပ်မတော်}}) was a [[Christian]] armed revolutionary group that opposed the then-ruling [[State Peace and Development Council|military junta of Myanmar]] (Burma).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/gods_army.htm|title=God's Army|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004755/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/gods_army.htm|archive-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Leading God's Army|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,996004-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417055344/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,996004-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2008|author=Terry McCarthy and Robert Horn|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=7 February 2000}}</ref> The group was an offshoot of the [[Karen National Union]]. They were based along the [[Thailand]]-Burma border, and conducted a string of audacious [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] actions including allegedly being involved in the [[1999 Myanmar Embassy siege|seizure of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok]] in 1999. They have been described as a [[Terrorism|terrorist organisation]].<ref name=richburg/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/gods-army-myanmar|title=God's Army -- Myanmar {{!}} Terrorist Groups {{!}} TRAC|website=www.trackingterrorism.org|language=en|access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref>
 ==Formation==
 God's Army was formed in an area of eastern Burma populated by the [[Karen people|Karen ethnic group]], who had been fighting against Burmese army at various times for over fifty years, primarily through the Karen National Union. In the early 90s the Burmese army launched a major operation to secure the route of an oil pipeline through the area.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,3604,347432,00.html | title = Two little boys | newspaper = The Guardian | date = 27 July 2000 | access-date = 16 January 2012 | quote = The cameras found the students in the camp of the twins, who were nine years old at the time | location=London|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004753/https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,3604,347432,00.html|archive-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4032 | title = Terrorist Organization Profile: God's Army | publisher = [[National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism]] | access-date = 16 January 2012 | quote = Johnny and Luther Htoo, twin brothers who were only nine years old when they formed the God's Army.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221122857/http://start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4032|archive-date=December 21, 2013}}</ref>  God's Army was led by brothers [[Johnny and Luther Htoo]] beginning in 1997, who were at that time estimated to be only ten years of age. Some of the followers of the [[twins]] believed that they had "Animist and Christian powers".<ref name="gp">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpolitician.com/default.asp?21979-myanmar-burma |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818185124/http://globalpolitician.com/default.asp?21979-myanmar-burma |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2013 |publisher=[[Global Politician]] |title=Bizarre 'God's Army' Led By Young Boys Surrenders |author=Richard S. Ehrlick |date=27 July 2006 }}</ref>  According to the legend among followers, the twins were the only two who defended their village from the Burmese authorities who had constantly persecuted their people for their Christian beliefs and for a desire for ethnic autonomy.<ref name=Aglionby>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jan/25/burma|title=God's Army holds hundreds hostage|last=Aglionby|first=John|date=25 January 2000|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004754/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jan/25/burma|archive-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref> The Burmese authorities had destroyed villages, killed Karen fighters, raped dozens of women and caused thousands to flee.<ref name=Aglionby/> The members believed the brothers shouted "God's Army!", leading them to a victory over Burmese troops.<ref name=time>{{cite news | url = http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2054474,00.html | title = The Twin Terrors | newspaper = Time | date = 7 February 2000 | access-date = 2 November 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316163940/https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2054474,00.html|archive-date=March 16, 2023}}</ref>
-The legend of the boys was embraced by locals who viewed the existing Karen National Union as corrupt and ineffective.<ref name=guardian /> Some of its members also called themselves as <nowiki>''Jesus Warriors'' or ''Jesus Commandos''. According to Kwe Htoo, the name of the group was Kaserdoh God'</nowiki>s Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20080928/282621733528843|via=PressReader|access-date=2 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004750/https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20080928/282621733528843|archive-date=October 13, 2023|title=God’s Army: The Reason for the Burmese Embassy Siege}}</ref>
+The legend of the boys was embraced by locals who viewed the existing Karen National Union as corrupt and ineffective.<ref name=guardian /> Some of its members also called themselves as <nowiki>''Jesus Warriors'' or ''Jesus Commandos''. According to Kwe Htoo, the name of the group was Kaserdoh God'</nowiki>s Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20080928/282621733528843|via=PressReader|access-date=2 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004750/https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20080928/282621733528843|archive-date=October 13, 2023|title=God's Army: The Reason for the Burmese Embassy Siege}}</ref>
 ==Activity==
-God's Army<ref name=":0" /> was situated in mountainous rainforests along the border between Burma and [[Thailand]].<ref name=time /> They were a band of [[Christians|Christian]] guerrillas who maintained an austere lifestyle, including abstinence from sexual intercourse, alcohol, milk, eggs, and pork. The group was estimated to have around 500 fighters in 1998, but gradually declined to anywhere between 100 and 200 men in early 2000. Many left to find work to support their refugee families while others are thought to have left due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, the Burmese army had 21,000 troops in the area.<ref name=nyt/>
+God's Army<ref name=":0" /> was situated in mountainous rainforests along the border between Burma and [[Thailand]].<ref name=time /> They were a band of [[Christians|Christian]] guerrillas who maintained an austere lifestyle, including abstinence from sexual intercourse, alcohol, milk, eggs, and pork. The group was estimated to have around 500 fighters in 1998, but gradually declined to anywhere between 100 and 200 men in early 2000. Many left to find work to support their refugee families while others are thought to have left for personal reasons. Meanwhile, the Burmese army had 21,000 troops in the area.<ref name=nyt/>
 In October 1999, a group calling themselves [[Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors]] along with the God's Army seized the Burmese embassy in [[Bangkok]] and the situation ended with their departure, at which point they were taken in by God's Army.<ref name=nytimes>{{Cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/17/world/17THAI.html | title = Burmese Rebel Twins and 14 Followers Surrender in Thailand | newspaper = The New York Times| date = 17 January 2001 | access-date = 2 November 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004755/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/17/world/burmese-rebel-twins-and-14-followers-surrender-in-thailand.html|archive-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref> The Burmese Government called the attack "a pure act of terrorism" and in Washington the State Department, which has been critical of the Burmese military regime, also condemned what it called "a terrorist attack".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/463569.stm|title=BBC News {{!}} Asia-Pacific {{!}} Embassy gunmen flee|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=23 February 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427041844/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/463569.stm|archive-date=April 27, 2023}}</ref>
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ==Surrender and disbandment==
 In January 2001, the Htoo twins and the less than 20 remaining members of God's Army surrendered to Thai soldiers and requested sanctuary.<ref name=nytimes /> They abandoned the Karens' goal of an autonomous or independent homeland, in exchange for permission to stay in Thailand.
 In July 2006, Johnny Htoo surrendered to Burma's military government with eight other members of God's Army in two groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-asia/2006/jul/25/072500407.html |title=Myanmar Teen Rebel Leader Surrenders|date=25 July 2006|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=14 September 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080104152815/http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-asia/2006/jul/25/072500407.html |archive-date = 4 January 2008}}</ref>
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 {{Insurgent groups in Myanmar}}
-[[Category:History of Myanmar]]
+[[Category:1990s in Myanmar]]
+[[Category:2000s in Myanmar]]
 [[Category:Politics of Myanmar]]
 [[Category:Christian terrorism in Asia]]

v t e Ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar
Active	AA (ULA) AA (ANC) ABSDF ALA (ALP) ARSA BLA BPLA CDF CNA (CNF) CNDF DKBA-5 KIA (KIO) KNA KNA(B) KNA(C) KNLA (KNLP) KNDO / KNLA (KNU) KA (KNPP) KNPLF KTLA KPC LDU MNDAA (MNTJP) MNLA (NMSP) MRDA/BNRA NDAA (PSC) NSCN-K PDF (NUG) PLA (CPB) PNA (PNO) PNLA (PNLO) PRA-Magway RSO SNA SSA-N (SSPP) SSA-S (RCSS) TNLA (PSLF) UWSA (UWSP) WNA (WNO) ZRA (ZRO)
Defunct	ARIF CPA DKBA God's Army KDA MTA MRA MRDA Mujahideen NDA-K NUPA RFCP RLP RPF RRF RNA SSA SSCP SSNA SURA VBSW
Coalitions	4K Coalition 7 EAO Alliance Chin Brotherhood Alliance Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee Federal Union Army Northern Alliance Three Brotherhood Alliance United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia
Armed conflicts	Communist (1948–1988) China–Myanmar border (1960–1961) Kachin Karen Karen–Mon Kokang 2009 2015 Rohingya 1978 1991–1992 2016–present post-2021 coup
Peace process	Ceasefires Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong
Internal conflict in Myanmar Tatmadaw

Latest revision as of 17:01, 18 November 2024

Formation

Activity

Surrender and disbandment

See also

References