Traditionally, political prisoners in Myanmar are granted freedom by the military junta within two years since the coup, often coinciding with auspicious national holidays such as Myanmar New Year, Union Day, National Day, and Independence Day. However, this year marks the first time that political prisoners were released on the religious full-moon day of Kason, which falls on the second month of the traditional Burmese calendar. The timing of this amnesty is notable, as it occurred just one day after Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Qin Gang's visit to Naypyitaw, where he met with Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) leaders. This has led some to speculate that the amnesty was arranged to coincide with Mr. Qin's diplomatic trip.

In the first five months of 2023, the number of civilian deaths reached a record high, with at least 748 individuals losing their lives in clashes. This figure accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total civilian casualties reported in the previous year. Since the coup, at least 8,640 civilians have been killed. Approximately 2,183 of these deaths were caused by gunshots inflicted by the State Administration Council (SAC), either during protests or while individuals were in SAC detention.

At least 81,899 houses and buildings (including religious buildings) have been torched and destroyed since the coup two years ago. Of that number, almost 30% (at least 24,138 houses and buildings) were burned down in the first six months of 2023.

Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA) forces have extended their control to the areas of Chinese projects in Northern Shan State during the ‘Operation 1027’.

ISP-Myanmar is presenting a series of three OnPoint analyses that will shed light on ‘Operation 1027’, the military offensive launched by the three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA) and their allies on October 27, 2023. This ISP OnPoint No. 18 analysis, the second in the series, emphasizes the economic significance embedded within the offensive and China’s response to the conflict.

This week ISP-Myanmar presents another review in our series on emerging new generation leaders from Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and the Spring Revolution movement, framed under the theme "The Rise of Princelings."