Regime loses 59 towns since Operation 1027 began: research group

By Admin 28 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
28 May 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has lost 59 towns across the country to anti-regime forces since the major Operation 1027 offensive was launched in late October in northern Shan State, according to Burma News International (BNI) – Myanmar Peace Monitor.

Seven towns have fallen in northern Shan State, 13 in Chin State, 10 in Arakan State, five in Sagaing Region, five in Karenni (Kayah) State, two in southern Shan State, two in Karen State and one in Bago Region, according to BNI – Myanmar Peace Monitor.

Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said: “[Ethnic rebel armies] could realise their objectives in a short time due to their collaboration, strategies and weaponry. More towns will fall.”

Though the fighting has ceased in northern Shan State due to a China-brokered ceasefire, the civil war is intensifying elsewhere, particularly in Kachin and Arakan states, and Sagaing Region.

Earlier this month, the regime held talks with the Brotherhood Alliance, of which the Arakkha Army (AA) is a member, after losing several townships to the AA in Arakan State. No agreement was reached at the talks.

The AA has launched a large-scale attack on the border town of Maungdaw, and also stepped up its attacks in southern Arakan State.

“The AA is fighting to liberate Arakan State. So, China’s pressures will not end the fighting,” political and military analyst U Pe Than told DMG. “The AA will continue to fight until its military objectives are achieved.”

The regime has been increasingly targeting civilian populations as it loses ground on multiple fronts across the country.

According to BNI – Myanmar Peace Monitor, the regime committed 154 massacres in the two years from May 1, 2022, to May 15, 2024, killing 1,446 people — most of whom were civilians.