NAYPYIDAW: An alliance comprising three ethnic minority armed groups in Myanmar’s northeast has launched a swift and impactful offensive against the military-led government, prompting resistance forces across the country to initiate fresh attacks.
With the Myanmar military consistently retreating on various fronts, there’s a growing sense of optimism among opponents of the coup that this might mark a pivotal moment in the endeavour to remove the army leaders who deposed the democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi nearly three years ago.
This ongoing operation presents a significant opportunity to alter Myanmar’s political landscape, remarked Le Kyar Win, spokesperson for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), one of the Three Brotherhood Alliance factions that commenced the offensive on October 27.
Caught off guard by the assault, termed Operation 1027, the military has suffered losses, including over 180 outposts and strongholds, along with four major bases and strategically significant border crossings with China.
The ongoing conflict has displaced close to 335,000 civilians, contributing to a total of more than 2 million displaced individuals nationwide, as reported by the United Nations.
This is undoubtedly the most challenging period the regime has encountered since the initial days of the coup, remarked Richard Horsey, an expert on Myanmar from the International Crisis Group.
