NAYPYIDAW – The head of Myanmar’s military government has pledged to deal decisively with what he called “acts of terror” by armed resistance groups.
Min Aung Hlaing also accused countries critical of his regime’s human rights record of being terror supporters.
Since seizing power in 2021, the military has been locked in a bloody civil war against resistance groups.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than a million people.
But General Min Aung Hlaing, who was giving a rare speech at an annual armed services parade in the capital Naypyidaw, had an unyielding message: the Myanmar armed forces won’t stop fighting those opposing their rule, whatever the cost.
The 66-year-old also noted that martial law was being increasingly imposed in “important townships” to fight “terrorists who seek to ruin the interest of people”. He said that elections would be held eventually and power handed over to “the winning party”, although it is unclear when this will happen, given the ongoing conflict.
The parade marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of Myanmar’s national army during World War Two to fight the Japanese invasion.
But in recent years the pageantry has taken on special significance. An increasingly isolated Myanmar continues to display the military might it has been using to devastating effect against rebels, some less than 50km from the capital. (BBC)
