
Hold Your Fire! What Threat Does the Rebel Offensive in Myanmar Pose to the Junta?
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Nov 24, 2023 In this enlightening conversation, Richard Horsey, a Crisis Group analyst and Myanmar expert, dives into the recent offensive by the Three Brotherhood Alliance—featuring three ethnic armed groups making strides against Myanmar's military. He unpacks the intricate motives behind the offensive, including economic interests tied to illicit activities and border dynamics with China. Horsey discusses the formation and goals of these ethnic groups, the humanitarian crises unfolding, and the junta’s refusal to engage in talks, painting a complex picture of ongoing turmoil in Myanmar.
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Preparation, Drones, And Seasonal Timing
- The offensive was months in preparation and used large numbers of attack and reconnaissance drones.
- Fighters timed action for the dry season and leveraged China's frustration over scam centres as an opportunity.
Scam Centres Have Huge Economic Scale
- Scam centres exploded during COVID and now generate revenues in the tens of billions, rivaling the regional drug trade.
- China treats them as a priority because many victims and targets are Chinese, creating strong public pressure to act.
Illicit Economy Drives Competition For Territory
- Northern border economies are deeply illicit and unlikely to be fully cleaned up even if scam centres are shut.
- Control of that terrain restores access to gambling, drugs and trafficking rents, a core motive for armed groups.
