Ethnic Issues

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has banned its members from joining international peace efforts or speaking to the media, allegedly at Beijing’s command.

Junta bombings, communication breakdown, blackouts and soaring prices mean daily hardship for Rakhine residents of towns captured by the ethnic army.

The regime’s continued airstrikes are undermining the MNDAA’s efforts to end the conflict in northern Shan State, the ethnic armed group said.

The move means the regime will no longer engage in talks with the AA, TNLA and MNDAA, which have seized swathes of territory in Rakhine, Shan and Mandalay since October.

Junta denies claims that town and Northeastern Command have fallen as locals report pockets of fighting.

The UWSA said it moved personnel into the northern Shan capital to protect its properties there and would not take part in fighting between MNDAA and junta forces.

Padoh Naw Zipporah Sein, a former Karen National Union vice-chairwoman, has died of cancer aged 69 after a life of striving to secure Karen rights.

The United Wa State Army says residents of Tangyan in northern Shan State asked it to deploy troops to protect the town from Operation 1027 fighting.

The Palaung State Liberation Front said the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army has been attacking TNLA troops and aiding junta forces amid Operation 1027.

Most ethnic resistance groups support a ‘free, democratic, and federal Myanmar,’ but internal divisions and overlapping claims complicate the picture.