April 17, 1989 was the founding day of the United Wa State Army. Originally named the United National Democratic Army of Burma (UNDAB), it was renamed the United Wa State Army (UWSA) on November 4, 1989 due to the needs of the situation. The United Wa State Army (UWSA) is the sons and daughters of the people of all ethnic groups in the Wa State, and is an armed force under the absolute leadership of the United Wa State Party (UWSP) with the responsibility of defending the Wa State and building up the Wa State.
The United Wa State Army is a combat team: it defends the Wa State against foreign aggression, protects and escorts the Wa State's peaceful construction, and strictly abides by the principle of "if no one commits any crime, I will not commit any crime, but if anyone commits a crime, I will definitely commit a crime"; it is also a task force: it is responsible for propaganda and organizing the masses; it is also a production team: it actively carries out production, improves the life of the troops, and reduces the burden of the people. The company is also a production team: it actively carries out production for the troops, improves the life of the troops, reduces the burden of the people, and actively participates in the construction of localities.
In April 1989, the 417th Division, 418th Division, 420th Division, 421st Division, 214th Division, Independence Regiment, Artillery Regiment, and Guards Regiment were formed. 525th Division was formed in May, and in 1996, the 420th Division and 525th Division were merged to form the 171st Military Region.
Locally, counties have formed county brigades (Mengmao County formed the 629th Regiment) and militia battalions.
The current commander-in-chief of the United Wa State Army is Bao Youxiang, deputy commanders-in-chief Zhao Zhongdan and Iwrong, chief of staff Zhao Zhongdan, and deputy chiefs of staff Zaisan, Li Laoyi, Tian Jianming, Zhao Iwrong and Iwrong. The headquarters of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) is located in Pangkang City. On February 9, 2015, the Kokang Allied Army (KAA) under the leadership of Peng Jiasheng triggered a clash with Myanmar government soldiers in the Kokang region of Myanmar's Shan State, followed by a fierce exchange of fire between the two sides, and on the 21st, Lt. Gen. Myo Htun Oo held a press conference in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, naming five Myanmar ethnic local armies such as the UWSA and claiming that they were also involved in a military operation attacking Myanmar's National Defense Forces (MNDF).