Junta looks to air force to retake control of outposts lost in Operation 1027

By Admin 11 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
11 November 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime is mounting air raids in an attempt to retake control of towns and positions it has lost in recent fighting in northern Shan State, the Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement on Saturday.

The Brotherhood Alliance, a tripartite military alliance made up of the Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance (MNDAA), said it has seized six towns and over 150 junta positions since it launched Operation 1027 in northern Shan State on October 27.

“The regime is trying to regain control of their hilltop outposts seized by us. However, their ground attacks are ineffective, and they mainly rely on air attacks,” reads the statement by the Brotherhood Alliance.

The Myanmar military has been conducting at least 20 air raids per day, and sometimes more than 40, in locations in Kunlong, Laukkai and Naungkio townships, says the statement.

Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun told junta-controlled media on Friday that the regime was regaining control over some townships.

“Fighting continues in Kunlong in northern Shan State. In Hsenwi, where the TNLA is launching attacks, our troops there have gained control. And we have also cleared near Lashio and Kutkai. And we are working to restore security in Mong Ko and Chin Shwe Haw, which we have lost,” he acknowledged.

Zaw Min Tun said the towns it has lost in northern Shan State and Sagaing Region are only a small part of the country, and the regime has the capacity to defend its sovereignty. He called on Myanmar people to cooperate with the regime.

The conflict zone is expanding despite the junta’s efforts to regain control of the towns it has lost, said political analyst U Than Soe Naing.

“The fighting could even expand to Yangon, under such circumstances. Min Aung Hlaing is just dreaming to retake control of the towns they have lost,” he said.

Allied Karenni resistance forces including the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) attacked junta deployments on the outskirts of Kayah State’s capital Loikaw on Saturday morning. The KNDF has been conducting an offensive in support of Operation 1027.

Karenni resistance forces have seized seven junta positions in Loikaw, Demoso, Nam Mae Khon and Nan San Kham, and are fighting to seize more junta outposts.

The success of Operation 1027 prompted Myanmar’s military regime to hold an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on Wednesday.

At the meeting, junta-appointed acting president U Myint Swe said the country could break apart if the regime fails to respond effectively to the fighting in northern Shan State.