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https://theconversation.com/myanmars-junta-has-suffered-a-humiliating-military-defeat-could-it-be-a-turning-point-in-the-war-236142>
"My recent research trip to the Thai town of Mae Sot on the Myanmar border
coincided with two big events. The heavens opened for several days with the
first big rains of the monsoon season. And across the border, the Myanmar
opposition forces took control of Lashio, a major military stronghold and key
city on Myanmar’s trade route with China.
On July 25, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), an ethnic
opposition group, claimed it had captured the Northeast Regional Military
Command of the Myanmar junta. It is the first time one of the 14 regional
military commands around the country has fallen to an ethnic armed group in
more than 50 years of military rule.
The rebels claim the regional commander was also captured – the highest ranking
military officer to be apprehended. And they said more than 4,000 troops had
been arrested.
This is an historic and humiliating setback for Myanmar’s military junta in its
war with the opposition forces, which are comprised of ethnic armed groups and
the People’s Defence Force, drawn from the democratic opposition.
But will this offensive be a turning point? While there remains no clear end
point for the civil war, the opposition continues to make significant gains.
This is giving them important resources, a significant morale boost and
leverage in any future negotiations.
For Myanmar’s neighbours, particularly China, there is also increasing concern
over the instability in the region and growing impatience with the junta."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
