All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)

<a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=BM">Burma (Myanmar)</a>, <a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=TH">Thailand</a>

Formed in November 1988, the All-Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) is a coalition of exiled Burmese students that lobby for a democratic Burma.  The organization has its own parallel governing hierarchy complete with independent defense structures, welfare mechanisms, and legal codes.  The ABSDF is dedicated to overthrowing Burma's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the military regime that is currently in power.<br /><p><br />The state-controlled media in Burma reports that the ABSDF usually attacks Buddhist ceremonies, local markets, and high traffic areas. Numerous terrorist incidents have been linked to the ABSDF and other pro-democracy groups. Most recently, a string of attacks occurring in the capital of Rangoon in 2005 was blamed on the ABSDF. However, the extent of the ABSDF's responsibility for these attacks (and overall classification as a terrorist organization) is debatable, as the SPDC has a bad habit of branding all political opposition with the now-trendy label of "terrorist". Some members of the diplomatic community believe that these so-called terrorist attacks may even be planned and executed by the ruling junta to frame and de-legitimize the ABSDF, which the regime perceives to be a threat to its tight grip on Burmese political power. Others allege that these attacks serve to attract attention away from Burma's widespread poverty, economic woes, and a lack of progress along the "roadmap for democracy" that is often cited by the SPDC "transitional government" to legitimize its rule.<br />

The ABSDF is committed to establishing democratic rule in Burma.  It is likely to continue its struggle through its traditionally-peaceful grassroots methods despite government propaganda campaigns and strict restrictions on the group's activities.

National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) -- Rival
United National Liberation Front (UNLF) -- Ally