Fighting has intensified in the past six weeks in Myanmar, with the “Three Brotherhood Alliance” launching coordinated attacks on military targets near the northern border with China.
The assault has emboldened pro-democracy militias to do the same elsewhere, presenting the biggest battlefield challenge to the junta since a 2021 coup.
“Significant progress made, but achieving our complete goals needs more time and ongoing efforts,” the Three Brotherhood Alliance posted on X social media, without mentioning the talks.
“Our dedication remains strong with the entire Myanmar population.”
The military on Monday said it met with the rebels and other parties in the conflict, and another round of talks was due by the end of the month. No other details were provided.
The three groups in the alliance have not responded to repeated requests from Reuters for comment. China’s foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was happy to see parties to the Myanmar conflict hold peace talks and is willing to provide further support.
The insurgent groups and the junta could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.
The fighting, largely in northern Shan state, has caused concern in China, with an estimated 300,000 people displaced since the rebel offensive started on Oct, 27, according to the United Nations, which says more than 2 million people have been forced from their homes since the coup.
Myanmar’s junta chief has called on ethnic armed groups battling the military across the country to find a political solution, state media reported on Tuesday.
The junta is reeling from coordinated offensives near the borders with China, India and Thailand, in what analysts say is the biggest threat to its rule since it seized power in 2021.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing “warned that if armed organizations keep on being foolish, residents of the relevant regions will suffer bad impacts,” according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.
“So, it is necessary to consider the lives of the people, and those organizations need to solve their problems politically,” he said.
Myanmar has more than a dozen ethnic minority armed groups, many of which hold territory in the country’s border regions and have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948.
In late October three groups launched a joint offensive across northern Shan state, capturing towns and seizing vital trade hubs on the China border.
More than 250 civilians, including children, are feared to have died since the launch of the offensive in October, according to United Nations field reports.
Over 500,000 people have been displaced across the country, the UN said.
Galvanized by the offensive, “People’s Defense Forces” formed after the coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government have launched renewed attacks on the military in the north and east.
Last week PDF fighters said they controlled parts of the capital of eastern Kayah state and were battling to dislodge junta troops from the city.
The junta is reeling from coordinated offensives near the borders with China, India and Thailand, in what analysts say is the biggest threat to its rule since it seized power in 2021.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing “warned that if armed organizations keep on being foolish, residents of the relevant regions will suffer bad impacts,” according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.
“So, it is necessary to consider the lives of the people, and those organizations need to solve their problems politically,” he said.
Myanmar has more than a dozen ethnic minority armed groups, many of which hold territory in the country’s border regions and have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948.
In late October three groups launched a joint offensive across northern Shan state, capturing towns and seizing vital trade hubs on the China border.
More than 250 civilians, including children, are feared to have died since the launch of the offensive in October, according to United Nations field reports.
Over 500,000 people have been displaced across the country, the UN said.
Galvanized by the offensive, “People’s Defense Forces” formed after the coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government have launched renewed attacks on the military in the north and east.
Last week PDF fighters said they controlled parts of the capital of eastern Kayah state and were battling to dislodge junta troops from the city.
