Myanmar army does not visit ASEAN envoy until stability is restored Military News

The Myanmar official, who is facing national protests against the coup that ousted the elected government three months ago, has said he would not agree until a Southeast Asian envoy is established for stability, and is concerned he would implement more. deadly violence against protesters and ethnic minorities.

The heads of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached a five-point consensus at last month’s summit on the Myanmar crisis, which was attended by the architect of the February 1 coup, Min Min Aung Hlaing.

These include ending violence, dialogue between the military and opponents, enabling humanitarian aid, and authorizing the visit of a special ASEAN envoy.

“Right now we are prioritizing the security and stability of the country,” General Kaung Htet San, a spokesman for the military council, said in a televised appearance on Friday.

“We will send colleagues only after a certain level of security and stability.”

The military government would consider the suggestions made at the summit if they were helpful to its views on the country, he added.

Myanmar is in a whirlwind of coups, which has sparked outrage among people who did not support a return to military government after five decades of economic management and underdevelopment.

There have been protests and marches on most days, with a large pro-democracy demonstration on Friday in the commercial capital Yangon and smaller protests in at least 10 other parts of the country.

More unannounced arrests, arrests

At least 774 people have been killed and more than 3,700 arrested in military crackdown on opponents, according to a defense group that has been monitoring the crisis.

Messages on social media on Saturday said several people in Yangon had been taken by security forces without bail.

The military said it was fighting “terrorists.” On Friday, Kaung Htet San spokesman said more arrests of perpetrators of the violence had been made than publicly announced.

Attendees described the ASEAN meeting in Jakarta on April 24 as a success, but analysts and activists remain skeptical that Myanmar’s generals will implement the five-point plan, which had no deadline and no mention of the release of political prisoners, including the ousted leader Aung. San Suu Kyi.

Kaung Htet San said ASEAN leaders have given positive suggestions to Min Aung Hlaingi, but whether or not they will continue depends on the situation in Myanmar, and whether their ideas are “helpful in getting more of our vision”.

The deaths of 30 soldiers were reported in a clash with the ethnic Kachin Independence Army in the Kachin state of Myanmar on Friday. Sources told the RFA that clashes have escalated between the military and Karen’s National Liberation Army in Karen State.

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– Asia Free Radio (@RadioFreeAsia) May 7, 2021

Conflicts erupted again

Myanmar’s hope for stability soon is dull as conflict between the military and ethnic minorities in the border territories has resurfaced and small bombings and explosions are taking place in its main cities.

The military said it was fighting the evil elements of ethnic armies and that all parties remain committed to the national ceasefire.

Aung San Suu Kyi has also blamed the supporters of the ousted government for the urban bombings. At least four bombings were reported early Saturday.

The newly formed National Union government, a coalition of anti-military groups, has said the military has organized bombings as an excuse to crush opponents.

On Friday, two local media reported that fighters from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) had attacked and killed 30 Myanmar soldiers while trying to travel down a river, citing local people and a KIA source.

The KIA also detonated the military’s use of limited chemical bombs in current airstrikes, according to news reports from Kachin state.

Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the information as a result of the allegations.

Kaung Htet San said violence and armed conflict will be treated “appropriately” by the military.

The military has been trying for months to stop the movement against restricted Internet access to the coup and this week banned satellite TV receivers from external broadcasts.

Kaung Htet San said the military respects the right of citizens to access information, but is using foreign-based social networks to share material that is “very worrying for national security”.

He also said security will be stepped up to protect strategic gas pipelines after attacks on security personnel in Mandalay almost this week.

Myanmar has twin oil and gas pipelines extending across China across the country, with many Myanmar countries believing that the generals were able to gather a great deal of personal wealth from natural resources at a time when they were suffering sanctions and international isolation.

China has said it does not take sides in the conflict and wants a stable Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the 4th US-based campaign in Washington, DC continues to put pressure on Burma’s UN Security Council to end violence in Myanmar, backing the country’s global embargo against the country’s military coup.

“The arms embargo, while not providing a solution to all of Burma’s problems, will significantly increase the security of the Burmese people, including all ethnic and religious minorities,” the group said, referring to the country by its old name.