Myanmar’s military junta has begun talks with a limited number of ethnic armed organizations (EAO) in Naypyidaw in what it calls a peace overture, despite evidence of continued raids, wherein soldiers have burned multiple villages to the ground.
Folks, the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing’s peace dialogues kicked off with the leading Shan ethnic leader, but the regime’s forces haven’t slowed down killing of innocent people, so peace is nowhere to be found. Read all about it in this week’s update. 🧵
— Mohinga Matters (@MattersMohinga) May 22, 2022
The country’s state media reported that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing held the first round of peace talks as part of a series of month-long face-to-face talks with the country’s historically violent ethnic minority groups. On Friday, the military government leader held discussions with Yawd Serk, the chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State and Shan State Army. State-run MRTV television reported that the political body and its military wing represented the Shan minority from eastern Myanmar.
Myanmar has 21 ethnic armed organizations, 10 of which have accepted the junta’s invitation for peace talks, the military council’s spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, said at a news conference.
Naing Aung Min, Deputy Chairman of New Mon State Party and his team have arrived in Nay Pyi Taw to participate in the peace talk with Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
— Chindwin News Agency (@TheChindwin) May 22, 2022
Photo/Handout pic.twitter.com/J5aRbvToxx
Despite the country’s military battling the People’s Defence Forces and driving civilians out of their villages in several areas of Myanmar, particularly the Chin state, and the Sagaing region, the junta has been touting its peace plan. In fact, since the junta seized power in a coup in February 2021, several villages have been burnt down by the military.
The news of the peace talks comes on the back of reports of the military raiding and torching at least seven villages along the Chindwin River in Sagaing Region’s Kani Township. The military destroyed around 200 homes last week alone. Local media reported that the violence began on Wednesday and lasted two days. Initially, two villages on the river’s eastern shore were initially targeted— Yae Butalin and Chaung Wa Gyi—along with three more on the western banks: Sin San, Thayet Taw, and Kin Taung. Homes near Ngar Phyet and Mu Htaw villages, which are on the eastern side of the Chindwin River, were burned on Thursday.
New Mon State Party arrives in Nay Pyi Taw for talks with #Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing
— Leong Wai Kit (@LeongWaiKitCNA) May 22, 2022
- Delegation led by party’s vice-chairman
- This is part of peace talks offered by army chief in April
- RCSS was first to attend talks
In addition, eight civilians were killed and thousands have fled their homes amid the junta’s raids in the resistance stronghold of Myaing Township in Magwe Region over the past week. Residents and eyewitnesses claim that six of the eight casualties were shot dead while two others were elderly residents who were unable to flee their houses. Over 200 soldiers from Pale Township in Sagaing Region raided at least 10 villages in northern Myaing. “They used artillery, took food, clothes and valuables and destroyed homes,” said a local resident.
Troops twice raided the now-abandoned Let Yet Ma village. Villagers claim that the village initially had over 1,500 houses, two-thirds of which were torched down in raids. The village monastery also caught fire, forcing its monks to flee, a volunteer helping the displaced told The Irrawaddy.
Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing Holds Talks on Peace Issues with Restoration Council of Shan State-RCSS (SSA) Chairman #WhatshappeninginMyanmar #SACActivities #Myanmar https://t.co/upWoRQkUn2 pic.twitter.com/AJpgX30Nwg
— Myanmar Official News (@MyanmarnewNews) May 23, 2022
Volunteers have been seeking food and other humanitarian assistance to help rehabilitate civilians. However, they have not disclosed the camps’ locations amid fears of continued junta attacks. Meanwhile, the country’s military council has consistently denied responsibility for arson attacks. However, according to Data for Myanmar, the military has destroyed around 10,000 homes as of May 1.