Myanmar ethnic rebel alliance asks China to help diffuse coup crisis

Myanmar ethnic rebel alliance asks China to help diffuse coup crisis


by AFP Staff Writers


Yangon (AFP) March 16, 2023

An alliance of China-backed Myanmar ethnic rebels on Thursday called for Beijing’s help to diffuse the bloody post-coup crisis that is ravaging the country.

China is a major ally and arms supplier of the internationally-isolated junta and has refused to call the putsch that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government two years ago.

Beijing also backs and arms several ethnic rebel groups along its border with Myanmar, analysts say, some of which have clashed repeatedly with the military in the aftermath of the coup.

The Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) groups seven ethnic outfits, who together can call on tens of thousands of well-armed and well-trained fighters, analysts say.

“We welcome and support China’s involvement to end domestic conflicts happening in Myanmar,” the FPNCC said following the meeting in an autonomous enclave run by the United Wa State Party (UWSP).

With a standing force of around 25,000, the UWSP’s forces are one of the world’s largest non-state militaries.

The FPNCC statement did not give details on what involvement from Beijing it would welcome.

It would “continue working together with the Chinese government to improve the stability of border areas,” it added.

On-off fighting along the border before the coup sent thousands fleeing into China, and analysts say Beijing has recently been pressuring the northern ethnic rebel groups to stay out of the post-coup conflict.

But many FPNCC members have offered shelter and weapons training to the “People’s Defence Forces” (PDF) that sprung up across the country to fight back against the coup.

Last year a military airstrike on a concert held by the Kachin Independence Army in northern Kachin state killed around 50 people and wounded more than 70, the rebels said.

Several projects in Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative are slated to run through northern Myanmar and link China’s landlocked Yunnan province with the Indian Ocean.

China’s special envoy to Myanmar has met junta chief Min Aung Hlaing at least twice since he was appointed in December and has also met ethnic rebel leaders for talks.

Beijing’s diplomats are also mediating between Myanmar and Bangladesh for a pilot programme to repatriate Rohingya refugees who fled a 2017 military crackdown now subject to a UN genocide investigation.

Repatriations would start “very soon,” Beijing’s ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, told reporters on Tuesday.

Related Links

Space War News






Hezbollah link probed after suspect with explosive belt killed: army


Jerusalem (AFP) March 15, 2023


Israel’s army on Wednesday announced it killed a suspect wearing an explosive belt in the country’s north earlier this week, and suggested the possible involvement of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

The incident comes with tensions already high over violence which has worsened in the Israeli-occupied West Bank this year.

The last anti-Israeli suicide blast occurred in Jerusalem almost seven years ago and wounded 21 people.

“During searches in northern Israel, security forces neutralised a terr … read more





The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 – Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled “by Staff Writers” include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report’s information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.

Read More

Margarete Antes