Irrawaddy-Oct 30
Its title—“Operation 1027”, a reference to its Oct. 27 launch date—is reminiscent of the code names the communist insurgents once gave to their military operations against the Myanmar military. This time, it is the Brotherhood Alliance—a tripartite military alliance comprising the Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)—that has launched simultaneous attacks, striking regime targets and bases in several towns in northern Shan State. Analysts say the offensive surprised the regime, catching its military off guard. The military command in Naypyitaw failed to provide intelligence on the launch of the attacks, though they had prior warning that an operation was afoot. The regime was aware the Brotherhood Alliance was stockpiling ammunition for a fight. Prior to the operation, top-ranking military officials in Naypyitaw reached out to the alliance but failed to prevent the attacks, according to political observers.
It is expected that this operation will be a long one, lasting weeks, if not months. But military analysts close to the alliance say it has the capacity to hold out during the dry season. As of the beginning of this week, alliance forces have taken more than 40 military outposts in the northern region, killing dozens, if not hundreds, of police officers and military personnel. The operation also blocked lucrative trade routes between China and Myanmar—the Lashio-Muse Highway and Lashio-Chin Shwe Haw Road—to prevent regime reinforcements from using them. Read more at:
