Myanmar's army is taking back territory with relentless air strikes - and China's help
Original story by: BBC News
Last updated: Oct 22, 2025
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- Context: The article details a significant shift in the military balance of power in Myanmar, favoring the ruling junta. This reversal follows initial gains by insurgent groups and highlights the junta's successful adaptation and acquisition of new military technology, supported by China's backing.
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- Detailed Summary:
- Insurgent groups, specifically the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), had captured strategic towns like Kyaukme, located on a vital trade route from China, which was seen as a sign of the junta's weakening morale after the 2021 coup.
- However, the Myanmar military has since retaken these towns, including Kyaukme and Hsipaw, within weeks, demonstrating a resurgence in its strength and control.
- The junta's success is attributed to several factors: learning from past failures, acquiring advanced technology like drones and motorized paragliders from China, and increased use of air power, resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties.
- China's support for the junta, including its backing for planned elections despite the ongoing civil war and the exclusion of Aung San Suu Kyi's party, has played a crucial role in the military's ability to regroup and reassert control.
- The opposition movement is fragmented, consisting of numerous poorly-armed People's Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic insurgent groups with differing agendas and mistrust among them, lacking central leadership.
- The Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the TNLA, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and Arakan Army, launched "Operation 1027" in October 2023, achieving initial successes by overrunning military bases and capturing territory in northern Shan State.
- Despite initial optimism about the regime's collapse, the junta responded by implementing a forced conscription drive, which replenished its ranks with over 60,000 new recruits, even though many young men fled or joined the resistance.
- The junta's current objective is to reclaim lost territory to ensure that elections can proceed in these areas.
- The article notes that initial assessments of the conflict may have overstated the unity of the insurgent groups and the severity of the military's morale breakdown.
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