Despite the Myanmar military junta declaring the Northern Three Brotherhood Alliance as terrorist groups, both political analysts and the public believe that the announcement will have little effect.
U Myo Kyaw, a spokesperson for the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), stated that the junta’s actions were inconsequential because the military itself is widely viewed as terrorizing the entire population. He noted that it was unlikely the designation would have any significant impact, given the junta’s history of oppressing citizens.
“I don’t think it will have much effect. The junta itself is terrorizing the people, so when they declare ethnic armed groups as terrorists, it doesn’t hold much weight. The junta has always made such statements but hasn’t done anything significant beyond that, just acting aggressively,” he said.
On September 2, 2024, the junta’s Central Committee for Counterterrorism labeled the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) as terrorist organizations. The Arakan Army (AA) also remains under the same classification after a previous designation was reinstated.
A local from Rakhine State criticized the junta for attacking civilian areas under the guise of fighting terrorism, stating, “The military is also a terrorist organization. They rely on weapons to suppress everyone. In so-called liberated areas, they bomb towns from the air, hitting marketplaces and civilian zones. Innocent people are being killed.”
During Operation 1027, launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the group captured key strategic military bases, including the Eastern Command Headquarters in Lashio, Northern Shan State. They also forced several junta soldiers to surrender.
Clashes between the junta and the Three Brotherhood Alliance continue in Northern Shan State’s Thibaw, Kyaukme, and Naung Cho, as well as in Southern Rakhine’s Thandwe and Buthidaung.
