In northeastern Myanmar, three heavily-armed rebel groups launched a surprise joint offensive a year ago, breaking a long-standing deadlock with the military regime by seizing large areas of territory. This successful campaign, known as Operation 1027, has inspired further resistance across the country, putting Myanmar’s military on the defensive.

Despite its previous dominance in manpower and resources, supported by Russia and China, the military is now struggling to retain control over dozens of lost outposts, bases, and key cities, which military leaders acknowledge would be difficult to reclaim, according to UNB citing AP.

“The military is on the defensive all over the country,” said Connor Macdonald from the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar. “It doesn’t look like there’s any viable route back for the military to recapture the territory it’s lost.”

Myanmar’s conflict began escalating after the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021, igniting clashes with ethnic minority armed groups and pro-democracy fighters, the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), who support the opposition National Unity Government.

Operation 1027, launched by the “Three Brotherhood Alliance”—the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army—marked a turning point. The Alliance swiftly overran towns and military positions along the Chinese border in Shan state, and similar offensives have since erupted in Rakhine and other regions, intensifying pressure on Myanmar’s beleaguered military regime.

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