A fighter from the armed rebel movement known as the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, stands in the mountains of north-eastern Myanmar.
A fighter from the armed rebel movement known as the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, stands in the mountains of north-eastern Myanmar.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
The TNLA is one of more than 15 armed groups fighting Myanmar's central government. They are part of a long-simmering conflict that has ebbed and flowed for more than 60 years.
The TNLA is one of more than 15 armed groups fighting Myanmar's central government. They are part of a long-simmering conflict that has ebbed and flowed for more than 60 years.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
Some have described the conflict as the world's longest-running civil war -- yet it remains largely hidden from the outside world.
Some have described the conflict as the world's longest-running civil war -- yet it remains largely hidden from the outside world.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
The TNLA rarely speaks to the press, but CNN made the journey to meet them in their mountain stronghold.
The TNLA rarely speaks to the press, but CNN made the journey to meet them in their mountain stronghold.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
The mist-covered village of Pang Law sits on a mountain peak in Shan State.
The mist-covered village of Pang Law sits on a mountain peak in Shan State.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
Local men on motorbikes. The TNLA claims to defend the interests of Myanmar's Ta'an ethnic minority, which they say has a population of one million.
Local men on motorbikes. The TNLA claims to defend the interests of Myanmar's Ta'an ethnic minority, which they say has a population of one million.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
TNLA commander Robert Anyunt tells CNN the government persecutes and neglects his people. "We want our own state," he says. "We want to build a genuine federal system in this country."
TNLA commander Robert Anyunt tells CNN the government persecutes and neglects his people. "We want our own state," he says. "We want to build a genuine federal system in this country."
Javed Iqbal/CNN
The rebels also fight against drugs -- which Anyunt said has ravaged the Ta'an community.
The rebels also fight against drugs -- which Anyunt said has ravaged the Ta'an community.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
In the past some rebel groups have been implicated in illegal narcotics production and sales.
In the past some rebel groups have been implicated in illegal narcotics production and sales.
Javed Iqbal/CNN
One U.S. official described the ethnic conflict as part of an existential question Myanmar has struggled with since independence in 1948.
One U.S. official described the ethnic conflict as part of an existential question Myanmar has struggled with since independence in 1948.
Javed Iqbal/CNN