JISEAS Issue Paper No. 29

""Will 'Operation 1027' Advance Myanmar's Spring?"

by Heesuk KIM (Research Fellow, JISEAS) & Jinyoung Park(Research Fellow, JISEAS)

Abstract

On October 27, 2023, the ‘Three Brotherhood Alliance,’ a military coalition of three ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), launched an offensive on 12 places against Myanmar’s military junta in northern Shan State. 'Operation 1027', named after the date of the military action, became a starting point of simultaneous attacks to capture hundreds of junta camps and positions, block main trading roads to China, and secure significant cities across the country. Several anti-military rebels have jointly conducted the following operations. They are old EAOs and a new military resistance group, the People’s Defense Forces. It is regarded as a big surprise to witness the unprecedented alliance between various rebels and to observe the massive losses of the Myanmar armed forces, one of the most potent military powers in Southeast Asia. In this aspect, 'Operation 1027' may herald a new phase of the protracted confrontation between the regime and the opposition. This article explores the implications of 'Operation 1027' on the current development of armed insurgencies. We first explain the historical background related to the current situation; second, examine some characteristics and developments of the joint offensive; third, investigate the influences of the China factor; and lastly, suggest some future tasks to move forward to a new phase.

* Please find the attached file for JISEAS Issue Paper No. 29.