God's Army (revolutionary Group)
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God's Army () was a
Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
armed revolutionary group that opposed the then-ruling military junta of Myanmar (Burma). The group was an offshoot of the Karen National Union. They were based along the
Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
-Burma border, and conducted a string of audacious
guerrilla Guerrilla warfare is a form of unconventional warfare in which small groups of irregular military, such as rebels, Partisan (military), partisans, paramilitary personnel or armed civilians, which may include Children in the military, recruite ...
actions including allegedly being involved in the seizure of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok in 1999. They have been described as a terrorist organisation.


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. 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 Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...
believed that they had "Animist and Christian powers". 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. The Burmese authorities had destroyed villages, killed Karen fighters, raped dozens of women and caused thousands to flee. The members believed the brothers shouted "God's Army!", leading them to a victory over Burmese troops. The legend of the boys was embraced by locals who viewed the existing Karen National Union as corrupt and ineffective. 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.


Activity

God's Army was situated in mountainous rainforests along the border between Burma and
Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
. They were a band of
Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
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. In October 1999, a group calling themselves Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors along with the God's Army seized the Burmese embassy in
Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...
and the situation ended with their departure, at which point they were taken in by God's Army. 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". In January 2000, 10 members of God's Army seized a hospital in
Ratchaburi Ratchaburi (, ) or Rajburi, Rat Buri) is a town ('' thesaban mueang'') in western Thailand, capital of Ratchaburi Province. Ratchaburi town covers the entire ''tambon'' Na Mueang (หน้าเมือง) of Mueang Ratchaburi District. As o ...
, Thailand. The group held about 500 patients and staff members
hostage A hostage is a person seized by an abductor in order to compel another party, one which places a high value on the liberty, well-being and safety of the person seized—such as a relative, employer, law enforcement, or government—to act, o ...
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. Thai security forces stormed the hospital, killing all 10 of the gunmen. After the raid, God's Army were strenuously pursued by the
Tatmadaw The Tatmadaw, also known as the Sit-Tat, is the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force. Auxiliary services include ...
(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. 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.


See also

* Karen National Union


References

{{Insurgent groups in Myanmar 1990s in Myanmar 2000s in Myanmar Politics of Myanmar Christian terrorism in Asia Defunct organizations designated as terrorist in Asia Ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar Secessionist organizations Karen history Christianity in Myanmar