Burmese army recovers some areas, but struggles against AA and KIA fighters: ICG

Narinjara News, 6 June 2026

Although the Myanmar army has achieved victories to regain some areas, they are still struggling to fight against the Arakan Army (AA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA), said the international conflict monitoring group (ICG).

In its 3 June 2026 report titled ‘Myanmar’s New Administration: Military Consolidation, Not Transition’, the ICG stated that these advances reverse some of the military’s earlier losses, but fall well short of a return to its pre-coup levels of territorial control. The military continues to struggle against its most capable opponents, particularly the AA and KIA, both of which are battle-hardened and well-financed.

As the Beijing administration of China negotiated a ceasefire with some powerful ethnic armed groups in northern Burma, the military pressure on the army was reduced, and as a result, they could send troops to other areas and were able to recapture some lost areas.

After losing ground in 2023-2024, the military has regained a measure of momentum, aided by conscription, improved drone capabilities and critical Chinese support.

Beijing-brokered ceasefires with major armed groups in the north Myanmar have eased pressure on the military, allowing redeployment to other places, which has led to territorial gains. These advances reverse some of the military’s earlier losses, but fall well short of a return to its pre-coup levels of territorial control.

Although it was possible to reverse the previous battlefield losses, the amount of recaptured territory is not up to the area controlled before the coup, added the report.

A state of stability and peace throughout the country is still far away, and although the military has been able to reach strategic ceasefire agreements with the main armed outfits in the country, these ceasefires are unlikely to bring a lasting peace.

The top military leaders are not considering any compromise and hence it is unlikely that a broader political dialogue would take place soon.

U Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military coup, retired from the position of Chief of Defense Staff and assumed the position of President on 3 April. However, the election was only about strengthening the repressive and brutal military rule, rather than leading to political transformation (or conflict reduction).

The report asserted that the outcome of elections conducted by the military rulers came out according to the script drawn up in advance by them.

Richard Horsey, ICG’s senior Myanmar adviser, pointed out that ‘although the military uniform has been replaced by civilian uniform (by U Min Aung Hlaing), this is not a political transformation. The constitutional ornament has been protected, elections have been held and the military has firmly established its power. However, the main causes of armed conflict and economic decline remain unchanged’.

Although the military was able to build a foundation of power for the continuation of its rule through procedural elections, it still lacks official recognition as a government and has not yet been able to create the conditions to resolve the civil war the country is currently facing, concluded the ICG.