Myanmar's civil war intensifies, gambling targeted
In Myanmar, the fight against the military junta that seized power three years ago has become a multi-faceted resistance, with various militias and forces joining forces. Beyond the overall goal of ending the military crackdown, a unique aspect emerged: the resistance movement's determination to eradicate rampant online gambling fraud in the country.
Leading the anti-gambling operation is the Three Brothers Alliance, which consists of groups including the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army from Kokang. Their focus goes beyond the repressive political regime and aims to eradicate the "pervasive online gambling fraud" plaguing Myanmar.
The three brothers' alliance pointed the finger at China, highlighting the large number of illegal gambling activities taking place along the shared border between the two countries. Junta militias funded by Chinese criminal organizations are said to be behind many of these frauds.
Resistance forces advance by occupying border towns and military positions, seeking political change and rooting out criminal enterprises. Human trafficking has always been a significant part of the illegal gambling scene and has become a growing problem in Myanmar in recent years.
The spread of criminals
This is partly due to the military government's unwillingness to address the problem. Instead, it devoted almost all of its resources to maintaining its power over the country. That has led to an almost single-minded military exercise to counter growing resistance and to the government no longer providing updated data on human trafficking and other crimes.
The U.S. State Department says it has lumped most crimes for which individuals are punished into one broad category.
When international NGOs tried to intervene and understand the patterns of human trafficking, they were driven out of the country by government forces.
The anti-gambling stance within the resistance demonstrates a broader commitment to reforming Myanmar to address political and socio-economic problems. This dynamic of multifaceted resistance continues to shape Myanmar's development as the conflict unfolds.
Resistance is on the rise
Operation 1027, launched in October, represents a joint effort by three rebel groups that are steadily advancing and seizing towns across the country. The U.N. Office of Humanitarian Affairs recently reported that the offensive, aimed at overthrowing the military junta and moving toward democratic alternatives, has become the most widespread series of armed conflicts since the coup.
Bo Nagar, a leading resistance figure and commander of the Myanmar National Revolutionary Army, told CNN that this was "the beginning of the end" for the State Administrative Council, the junta body. The resistance movement gained momentum, not only challenging the military's political control but also opposing illegal financial networks associated with online gambling.
However, the conflict may also have wider implications for the entire region, as it has the potential to have far-reaching consequences across Southeast Asia and affect various aspects of regional dynamics, such as economic stability and diplomatic relations.
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Source: www.casino.org
