Myanmar junta extends its widely violated ceasefire while massing troop reinforcements
This comes at the urging of ASEAN countries. While the exiled opposition reports at least 300 civilians killed by the military since last March’s earthquake, the junta is massing troops in the Mandalay region to retake Chinese-backed gas pipelines from the rebels. Potential floods in refugee camps due to the monsoon season raise concerns.
Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Myanmar’s military junta has extended its temporary ceasefire until the end of June, a decision that, according to official statements, is aimed at facilitating relief and reconstruction efforts following last March’s earthquake and in response to a request by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The latest announcement is, however, cosmetic, no different from those made in April and May since fighting against resistance forces and attacks against civilians show no sign of abating.
In fact, the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) reported that an airstrike by Myanmar’s junta killed at least 10 civilians attending a wedding in Kyaukkyi Township (Bago Region), including the bride and two children.
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), which is composed of MPs deposed in the 2021 coup, reported the death of 300 civilians killed in the past couple of months when the ceasefire was supposed to be in place.
In late March, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake devastated the central areas of the country. The military followed this with a first ceasefire announcement, which was extended until late April after a meeting between junta strongman General Min Aung Hlaing and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. This was further extended in May until the end of the month.
The latest statement, on 31 May, cite the ASEAN peace plan formulated after the outbreak of hostilities in 2021 but never implemented.
The junta's military operations reflect China's requests rather than those by other Southeast Asian countries; still, according to some observers, Myanmar’s military regime is trying to reboot relations with the latter.
At the same time, as The Irrawaddy writes, the junta is massing reinforcements in Taungtha Township, Myingyan, a district in Mandalay, a region devastated by the earthquake, to retake China-backed oil and gas pipelines captured by resistance forces.
About 150 regular troops arrived in Taungtha on 29 May, deployed in three villages near the pipelines, their ranks boosted on Saturday by another 60 soldiers from a steel plant from a nearby town, Myingyan.
The moves follow Operation 9/A Nyar Myae, launched on 15 May by anti-regime groups, which saw simultaneous attacks on junta positions in Taungtha, Natogyi, Myingyan and Nganzun townships, where the pipelines pass through Myingyan District.
As a result of these operations, resistance forces managed to capture key junta positions guarding the pipelines in Natogyi.
Myanmar is also facing renewed monsoon flooding, forcing the authorities to conduct relief operations in Kachin State, where the Arayati River broke its banks, with widespread damage to public infrastructure, communications and transportation, as well as internally displaced people camps. Local sources say farmland was also flooded.
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13/10/2022 14:26
09/04/2022 15:52
