Insurgencies have been ongoing in Myanmar since 1948, when the country, then known as Burma, gained independence from the United Kingdom. It has largely been an ethnic conflict, with ethnic armed groups fighting Myanmar's armed forces, the Tatmadaw, for self-determination. Despite numerous ceasefires and the creation of autonomous self-administered zones in 2008, armed groups continue to call for independence, increased autonomy, or federalisation. It is the world's longest ongoing civil war, spanning almost eight decades.

In 1940, during World War II, Burmese intellectuals formed the Thirty Comrades, who later established the Burma Independence Army (BIA) to fight against the Allies. Aung San led the State of Burma, switching allegiance to the Allies in mid-1944. Post-war negotiations led to Burma's independence in 1948, but tensions arose as the Panglong Agreement promising autonomy to ethnic minorities, was not honored after Aung San's assassination. This period saw the rise of the Communist Party of Burma and the Karen National Union (KNU).

In 1962, General Ne Win led a coup, establishing a military junta and refusing to adopt a federal system, leading to increased insurgencies. The Communist Party of Burma (CPB) and various ethnic groups, including the Kachin Independence Army and Karen National Liberation Army, took up arms against the government. Ne Win's regime faced internal dissent and growing insurgencies throughout his rule, culminating in the 8888 Uprising in 1988, which was violently suppressed by the military.

Following the uprising, the military established the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), later renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The SPDC faced insurgencies and civil unrest, including the rise of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in the 2010s. The situation escalated further with the 2021 military coup, led by Min Aung Hlaing, which deposed the civilian government and led to widespread protests and renewed insurgencies, particularly in ethnic minority regions like Kachin State, Kayah State, and Kayin State.