In 2021, Myanmar’s ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was deposed by the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military, which then vested power in a military junta.
Myanmar’s northern regions, near the border with China, have since become a major foothold for the illegal drugs trade and cybercrime. Northern Myanmar is currently contested between the military government and multiple ethnic armed organisations.
China’s security services have links to the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of some of the militias in the area. In October 2023, the TBA launched a major offensive against the army, and seized over 200 army bases and four border crossings in the area that are vital for trade with China.