Irrawaddy-Aug 5
Amid a series of military defeats in northern Shan State, chair of the Myanmar military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), chair of the Myanmar military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), Khin Yi has asked Russia to recognize the armed conflict in the country as a war against terrorism being waged by the generals, and to help the regime fight it. Khin Yi requested Moscow’s intervention during an interview with Russian state-owned media outlet Sputnik in Naypyitaw on July 30. The interview was published on Sunday. “The main support we would like is for Russia to work together with us in the fight against terrorism. To do this, we must first realize that what is happening [in Myanmar] must be perceived not as internal political squabbles, but as terrorism. If you recognize this as terrorism, then your departments and agencies that are engaged in the fight against terrorism can join us and together achieve our goals,” Khin Yi was quoted as saying. Russia is a major arms supplier to the regime, and the ties between the two countries have deepened since the 2021 coup. Junta opponents say Khin Yi’s request for Russian military intervention violates Section 42 (b) of the army-drafted constitution, which bans the deployment of foreign troops in Myanmar. Khin Yi served as the police chief during former dictator Than Shwe’s rule, and as immigration minister in Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government. He orchestrated pro-military rallies before and after the coup. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/desperate-myanmar-junta-seeks-russian-intervention-against-armed-resistance.html
