The Myanmar military regime has replaced Major General Soe Tint with Brigadier General Soe Hlaing as the head of the Northeastern Command amid ongoing attacks by ethnic and allied forces on northern Shan State’s Lashio, where the command is based, according to sources.
Brig-Gen Soe Hlaing was previously the commander of the 99th Light Infantry Division.
The replacement was made on Thursday last week after the Northeastern Command lost a few bases to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and allied groups.
The allied groups launched simultaneous attacks on junta military bases surrounding Lashio on July 3, restarting Operation 1027—a large-scale offensive against the regime initially launched late last year that lasted for more than three months before being halted on Jan. 10 by a China-brokered ceasefire.
During the first phase of the offensive, the regime ceded vast swathes of territory along with dozens of battalion headquarters, the Laukkai Regional Operations Command and the Kunlong tactical command under the Northeastern Command. Despite the defeats, Major General Naing Naing Oo, then commander of the Northeastern Command, was promoted to lieutenant general and became the chief of Bureau of Special Operations No. 2.
Military observers say junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has no clear promotion policy.
New Northeastern Command chief Brig-Gen Soe Hlaing graduated as part of the 42nd intake of the Defense Services Academy.
Military observers say graduates of the 42nd intake have a reputation for rising through the ranks not because of their ability but because they know how to bribe and flatter their seniors, and that few have gained combat experience, even after becoming battalion commanders.
In response to a demand from the Chinese government, the MNDAA has announced a unilateral ceasefire until July 30.
