Operation SEAGULL in 2025 expected to help Myanmar in strengthening regional integrity
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By Tun Mon Thet (NP News) - Jan 27
On January 21, the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (LMLECC) confirmed plans to launch the second phase of Operation SEAGULL in 2025. The operation aims to combat telecom fraud networks operating along the Thai-Myanmar border.
The first phase of Operation SEAGULL, carried out between August and December 2024, implemented effective measures against these criminal networks, as announced during a meeting of senior officials from the six Lancang-Mekong countries: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
According to Major General Zaw Min Tun, during a media briefing last week on the online scam crisis in Myawaddy, Kayin State, illegal business operations tied to these scams have been entrenched in the border area since 2019 from Cambodia and Philippines. Human trafficking linked to these online scam networks has particularly targeted Chinese nationals, prompting the Chinese government to take decisive action to prevent and protect its citizens from what it describes as a modern form of slavery.
Due to the absence or weak enforcement of the rule of law in certain areas, online scam networks have increasingly exploited these territories, prompting many operations to relocate to Myanmar's border regions.
In Kayin State, various non-state armed groups operate, many of which are supported by external actors like the United States. These groups include the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Defence Force (KNDF), the Kawthoolei Army (KTLA), and their allied organizations. On the other hand, there are armed groups aligned with the government, such as the Border Guard Forces (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which also play a significant role in the region's complex security landscape.
During the first phase of Operation SEAGULL, the State Administration Council (SAC) government reportedly collaborated effectively with regional countries to combat online scams and the associated human trafficking, according to previous statements released by the SAC.
The LMLECC announced that between August and December 2024, a joint law enforcement effort by six countries—Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—led to significant results. A total of 70,000 suspects involved in telecom fraud cases were arrested, and more than 160 victims were rescued, highlighting the coordinated efforts to address these crimes across the region.
It is anticipated that the second phase of Operation SEAGULL will implement decisive measures to ensure territorial stability and integrity in Myanmar’s southern region.
The Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (LMLECC) plays a pivotal role in these efforts. As noted by the Global Times, the LMLECC is the first intergovernmental organization in the Lancang-Mekong region dedicated to political security. It operates under the framework of the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism, fostering collaboration among member countries to combat transnational crime and maintain regional stability.
Stability and regional integrity are particularly crucial for Myanmar in 2025, as the country plans to hold a fresh election aimed at restoring democracy. While a ceasefire has been secured in the northern part of the country, the Myanmar government must prioritize efforts to address the ongoing challenges in the south. This includes suppressing the activities of defiant armed groups in Kayin State and other southern regions, ensuring the rule of law, and fostering conditions conducive to peace and stability. Such efforts will be essential to create an environment suitable for a credible and inclusive electoral process.
With regard to the issue, Executive Director of Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, U Thein Tun Oo comments, “If Operation Seagull becomes active in the southern region, it is certain that U.S.-backed groups will feel pressured. If they cannot maintain their stance, they risk being labeled as culprits. For Myanmar, the question of whether it can suppress the lawless groups in the south will depend on how effectively it can take action. If Myanmar can handle the situation well, it stands to gain significant benefits.” –