EAOs advancement

I have been cautiously following the recent orchestrated large-scale military campaign launched by coordination between ethnic armed organizations and people defense forces against Myanmar military, police, and militia groups across northern Shan State. I do not know the level of collaboration between ethnic armed organizations and people defense forces in term of financial and tactical weapons, but the alliance of EAOs, which includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA), is claiming victory over hundreds of Myanmar’s military strongholds and took control of several towns, including strategic areas and key border crossings with China. 

There has been speculation among certain groups of political commentators saying that China was backing up behind the attack which is utterly unlikely the case in my opinion. In fact, on the other contrary, prolonged civil war is hindering the progress of Beijing’s investment and businesses in Myanmar. Nevertheless, the victory of the recent campaign was applauded by the people of Myanmar and saw it as a sign of hope after Myanmar military’s bloody crack down and inhumane tactic on citizens who oppose regime. 

It is absolutely crucial that EAOs shall maintain their strong foothold and defense the cities they captured from potential counterattack by military regime. The question is how EAOs will do it? For decades, ethnic armed groups (EAOs) in Myanmar have created various money streams to expand their troops and buy tactical weapons by mean of extorting “protection” payments, ဆတ်ကြေး, from smugglers, engaging in illicit logging and jade mining projects, and trafficking drugs. With the implementation of “Business for Peace” (B4P) platform back in 2013, Myanmar has greatly suffered massive environmental degradation due to deforestation and unregulated mining. 

The quid pro quo agreement between EAOs and former Myanmar’s governments to adopt B4P only benefited to the elite group of people for decades. 

It is an inevitable fact that EAOs are in desperate need of fundings and additional resources to sustain their victory over time. The same goes to Myanmar military regime as well. The news streaming from northern Myanmar about MNDAA’s practice, similar tactic as Myanmar military regime, by kidnapping ordinary citizens and asking for ransom money to raise their funding was very concerning as it has already been causing dislike and major concern among local people. I came to aware a few weeks ago that my loved ones were forced to make extorting “protection” payments. Instead, it should have been volunteered funding to support the cause of the downfall of Myanmar’s military. 

In order to resolve this dire situation, EAOs has no other way except trafficking drugs which would ethically outweigh our educated conscious mind. Donation alone is not a sustainable solution in the long run. The longer this war is dragging on, the unintended consequences are unprecedented and paramount in the future