Irrawaddy-Nov 20
It took two years to plan but just days to shatter the Tatmadaw’s all-powerful image. Still, Operation 1027 is far from finished with the regime that seized power from a civilian government in 2021. It comprises about 20,000 resistance troops, with the three ethnic armies that form the Brotherhood Alliance at its core. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) sent in four brigades, the Arakan Army (AA) 10 and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) seven. The Bamar People’s Liberation Army 203, which is affiliated with MNDAA Brigade 611, sent troops, the People’s Liberation Army sent two brigades, and two People’s Defense Force (PDF) battalions from central Myanmar joined the offensive. One battalion from the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, seven Mandalay-based PDF battalions and two Mogoke PDF battalions affiliated with TNLA are also participating. Artillery and drone units have also joined the initial phase of the operation. The ethnic alliance launched coordinated attacks on Chin Shwe Haw, Namkham, Lashio, Hseni, and Nawnghkio towns, making it difficult for the regime to gauge the objective of the operation. Transport routes in northern Shan State were severed. The route between Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin and Lashio was cut off, as was the route between Lashio and Tangyang, Mongyai. This made the route between Eastern Central Command and Lashio inaccessible. The Brotherhood Alliance then seized junta outposts between Lashio and Namtu, severing the route between the two towns. It then seized Hseni Town, making the Lashio-Hseni-Kunlong Road and Hseni-Kutkai-Muse roads inaccessible to regime troops. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/analysis/operation-1017-is-creating-a-new-political-template-for-myanmars-future.html
