 The Tatmadaw has been engaged in a bitter battle with ethnic insurgents and the narco-armies since the country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1948.Recently, the Tatmadaw is widely condemned by Western-backed organisations for its widespread human rights offences including ethnic cleansing, torture, sexual assault and massacre of civilians.Nevertheless, a 2014 survey conducted by the American International Republican Institute across all Myanmar demographics shows military is the most favourable institution, with 84% of respondents saying either "very favorable" or "favorable" ahead of other institutions such as media, government and Burmese opposition.