Mizzima-Jan 17
Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military leader, attributed the country’s ongoing instability to alleged foreign interference and actions by resistance forces in a message commemorating Karenni State Day on 15 January. In his address, the junta leader accused certain foreign countries, organizations, and fabricated misinformation campaigns, as well as the activities of the National Unity Government (NUG), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), of creating divisions and unrest in the country. While Min Aung Hlaing did not name specific countries or organizations, he alleged that some democratic nations were supporting armed resistance. In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated claims that the unrest was fueled by attempts to unlawfully seize power through fraudulent elections and violent resistance, instead of resolving disputes democratically. The coup on 1 February 2021, which the military justified by citing alleged electoral fraud, led to mass protests and subsequent crackdowns involving live ammunition. These actions resulted in significant civilian casualties and a surge in armed resistance. The event was overshadowed by attacks the night before, on 14 January, when the Brave Warriors for Myanmar (BWM) resistance group targeted a dinner hosted at Loikaw State Hall with five 107-mm rockets. Simultaneously, two additional rockets struck the regional military command in Loikaw, as confirmed by a BWM statement. Read more at:
