This could be the beginning of the end for the military regime in Myanmar

The Burmese junta wants peace at any cost. In June, the Myanmar military government held peace talks with rebel groups brokered by China. Since then, the internal fighting has only grown more intense and violent.

The military junta, which overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, is showing cracks in their tight grip as it faces its biggest challenge yet.

The military government not only must face pro-democracy protestors, but armed militias formed from ethnic minorities within the country, such as The Three Brotherhood Alliance.

According to France 24, the Three Brotherhood Alliance is made up of the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 back on October 27, 2023, a joint military offensive in the northeastern part of the country, near the border with China.

Phil Robertson, from Human Rights Watch, told Deutsche Welle that nobody expected that the rebel groups would get such gains, including major roads connecting China to the Mandalay region.

Image: alschim / Unsplash

The South China Morning Post reported that Operation 1027 has managed to take over dozens of communities in northeastern Myanmar and overrun dozens of military outposts near the Chinese border.

The response of the Burmese military has been brutal. Amnesty International has requested an in-depth investigation into excesses committed by the country’s armed forces.

Other rebel groups have joined in arms, or at least shown support to the Three Brotherhood Alliance in other parts of the country.

One of them is the People’s Defense Forces, backed by the government-in-exile that was overthrown by the military.

The United Nations reported that over half a million people have been displaced because of the armed conflict.

According to Reuters, China is a key ally for the military government, but it has started to show signs of losing its patience with the Burmese junta.

Over 20,000 people, mostly Chinese nationals, are held in over 100 compounds in Northern Myanmar, brought under online scams to be trafficked.

Back in September, Beijing sent an ultimatum to the Myanmar junta: Either they deal with the compounds or China will intervene.

Al Jazeera informs that a temporary ceasefire has been achieved by China between the Myanmar military government and The Three Brotherhood Alliance.

Image: alschim / Unsplash

However, the fight continues for other rebel groups across Myanmar and the ceasefire seems fragile, at best. Time seems to be running out for the military junta.

Image: sebastiengoldberg / Unsplash