[A bit dramatic headline by the newspaper.] The junta’s military is preparing to launch a major offensive dubbed Operation Sin Phyu Shin – “Lord of the White Elephant” – to retake the areas of northern Shan State captured by the Brotherhood Alliance and its allies since they launched Operation 1027 late last year.
“Operation Lord of the White Elephant” will be led by junta number two, Vice-Senior General Soe Win, multiple sources said.
Key here is that it’s being led by #2 man of the junta, General Soe Win. This signifies the importance of this operation to the Junta, and the amount of resources that will be devoted to it. Basically, this is a can’t-fail mission for Junta. Their face, reputation and credibilities are at stake, what little there is left of it.