[16] In October 2021, NUG's Ministry of Defence announced that it had formed a central committee to coordinate military operations across the country.

[19] On 13 July 2021, NUG's minister of defence Yee Mon stated that the strength of the newly-formed militia was expected to reach 8,000 by the end of the month.

[25] On 28 May 2021, NUG released a video of the PDF's graduation ceremony, announcing that the armed wing was ready to challenge the junta's forces.

[27] On 7 September 2022, NUG acting president Duwa Lashi La gave a speech on the one-year anniversary of the defensive war.

PNLA retaliated with KNDF and local PDF forces and attacked the town of Hsi Hseng, Shan State eventually capturing it on 26 January 2024.

[41] Karenni PDF launched attacks in Demoso and Bawlakhe townships, killing at least twenty Tatmadaw soldiers and police and burning down three outposts on 26 May 2021.

[44] The PDF, along with the Kachin Independence Army, began assaults on the Tatmadaw positions in Katha, Sagaing around the end of May 2021, killing eight regime soldiers and injuring thirteen.

[46] On 15 January 2022, a combined force of PDF and All Burma Students' Democratic Front attacked two Tatmadaw ships approaching Katha from Shwegu using rocket-propelled grenades.

This confrontation marks the first time ABSDF had engaged the Tatmadaw since the beginning of the coup, entering a war against the regime and openly siding with the PDF.

[48] On 8 and 9 February, a coalition of local PDFs, under the leadership of the NUG's defence ministry, launched an attack on "15 military targets in the region", killing 44 and injuring 8 regime troops.

[49] On 19 March 2023, the Chindwin Attack Force shelled the headquarters of the Northwestern Command in Monywa, as the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing was reportedly visiting there.

On 6 November, the NUG announced that they were able to seize the town and posted a photo of the PDF flag being flown at the Kawlin District Administration Department.

[52][53] In December 2023, KNA and PDF seized a base in Tamu township, Sagaing Region[better source needed].

In the evening of 3 February 2024, the Tatmadaw forces began launching offensives from the north and south of Kawlin in order to recapture the town.

[55] In Patheingyi Township on 8 June, three PDF fighters in a vehicle rammed two police officers on motorbikes before shooting and killing them.

The YRF said they performed this ritual so that "the regime would suffer for what they have done to the civilians in northern Myanmar and they quickly reach their demise".

[65] In the morning of 28 January 2024, the flag of the PDF was hoisted at the Circular Road around Kandawgyi Park in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Security in Pyin Oo Lwin has been intensified, since the PDF has been planning to launch offensives in the town and it also has military service academies such as the DSA and DSTA.

The regular PDFs are similar to full military units, comperatively large and well equipped, were recognized by and operate under the command of the NUG.

[68] Known large PDFs include: The Burmese military has experienced increased defections to the civil disobedience movement and the PDF since the coup.

[73] In August 2021, the Thunder Guerrilla Force was established and the militia is said to be led by the CDM police officers and the Tatmadaw personnel.

[75][76] Notable among them was Brigadier-General Phyo Thant, who led the Northwest Command until October 2021 when he was detained by the military after his plans to defect were exposed.

As of 15 February 2022, the number of defectors had risen to over 16,000 soldiers and police officers who had joined Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement.

[85] Many PDF battalions used assault rifles seized from military troops in ambushes and joint-operations with local ethnic armed organizations.

[84] An organization of military defectors known as the People's Soldiers Production Team (PSPT) began an arms manufacturing operation called Project A-1.

[97][98][99][100][101] Video footage and reports of an Air Force jet shot down in Kayah State on 18 February 2022 led to speculation that the PDF possessed man-portable air-defense systems.