Over 6,000 junta soldiers surrender since launch of Operation 1027

By Admin 30 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
30 April 2024, Sittwe

More than 6,000 officers and rank-and-file members of the Myanmar military have surrendered since the anti-regime Operation 1027 offensive was launched in late October, according to the records of Burma News International (BNI)-Myanmar Peace Monitor.

Some 4,000 junta soldiers in northern Shan, 1,101 in Arakan State, 566 in Mon State, 566 in Karen State, 210 in Kachin State, 76 in Karenni (Kayah) State, 66 in Chin State and 66 in Bago Region have since surrendered.

The Brotherhood Alliance, which is made up of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Arakkha Army (AA), launched the offensive on October 27, 2023. The fighting continued for three months after China brokered a ceasefire in mid-January.

The Brotherhood Alliance seized eight tanks, 16 armoured vehicles, two multiple-rocket launchers, and 20 mortars and howitzers during the three months of fighting, said BNI.

The alliance also seized 36 military positions including the Kutkai tactical command, 16th Military Operations Command, Infantry Battalions 125 and 289, Light Infantry Battalion 129 headquarters, Laukkai Regional Operations Command and junta bases.

Anti-regime forces occupied 52 towns across Myanmar during Operation 1027, with the Brotherhood Alliance occupying 28 towns in northern Shan State and Arakan State.

The regime lost large swathes of territory along with military bases during the offensive, which stalled its administrative mechanism and resulted in a morale crisis among junta soldiers, according to BNI.

The regime has not yet publicly admitted its military defeats.

Despite the ceasefire in northern Shan State, clashes continue between the junta and anti- regime forces in many parts of the country, including in Arakan State.