Myanmar’s regime has declared martial law in eight northern Shan State townships as the Brotherhood Alliance’s Operation 1027 continues.
The imposition of martial law in Kutkai, Kunlong, Namkham, Muse, Lashio, Hseni, Konkyan and Laukkai townships follows the fall of Kunlong, a strategically important Kokang Self-Administered Zone town near the Chinese border.
The Brotherhood Alliance also controls Kunlong and Namkham towns.
The junta has declared martial law in around 50 towns in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magwe, Bago and Tanintharyi regions and Chin, Mon, Karen and Kayah states.
Kunlong is a source of pride for Myanmar’s military. In 1971, its troops repulsed 40 days of “human-wave” attacks on the town by the Communist Party of Burma. Kunlong fell in 12 days to the Brotherhood Alliance.
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing told the National Defense and Security Council on November 8 that his regime would respond to Operation 1027 and marital law followed four days later.
The Brotherhood Alliance reported on Saturday that 136 junta positions had fallen since Operation 1027 started on October 27 and the towns of Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai and Monekoe have also been seized.
Fighting continues in Hseni and Pansai.
Under martial law, military courts will hear any case deemed critical of the regime.
No appeals are available except for death sentences where appeals can be submitted to Min Aung Hlaing for a final decision.
