SAC Meeting: Armed conflicts, counter terrorism efforts, and national development

The State Administration Council held its meeting in Ny Pyi Taw on Wednesday, with the attandance of the Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized the backgrounds of the Ethnic Armed Organizations and their extensive recuritment, taking advantage on the ceasefire process. He elaborated that the KIA group signed the ceasefire agreement in 1991, allowing them to station at 5 brigades and 94 bases.

Later, they engaged in drug sumggling and illegal export of natural resources to the other country, to support their recruiment efforts. Moreover, they constructed weapon factories in Lai Zar and Lai Sin Post, exteding the recruiment process. 

Following the political conditions after 2021, the extremist youths from Sagaing and Magwe have been trained at KIA bases, formed the military units, provided with weapons, and these tasks are mainly carried out by the newly formed KIA Brigade 8.

The KIA group in coopertion with the so-called PDF terrorists, are conducting terrorist acts in Sagaing and Magwe Region till to date. While there are armed conflict between Tatmadaw and MNDAA Alliances in Kokang area of norhern Shan State, KIA attacked a small military post in Kachin State, and the Tatmadaw conducted counter action.

Along with the KIA and PDF terrorists, the AA group also took part in the attacks in Hteechaint, Kantbalu, Kawlin, Tamu and Khampat of Sagaing Region as well as Hakha and Lailinpee in Chin State. The members of People’s Militia from those areas conducted counter action joining hands with Tatmadaw while local residents informed about the terrorists to the Tatmadaw, resulting in the effective counter action.

Concerning the UWSA which returned to the legal fold in 1989, the Prime Minister said the government have provided necessary assistance for development of Wa Special Region (2) as a special task. He noted significant development in the region over the past decade, with self-production of weapons, and highlighted the absence of armed conflict with the Tatmadaw.

During the attacks on Tatmadaw posts in the Kokang area, Kokangs from various military units and foreign drone experts, along with TNLA, KIA, and AA, were involved. They employed excessive force and technology, deploying over 25,000 dropped bombs and about 120 rounds of 107-millimeter short-range missiles.

He pointed out that the cause of these complex situations in northern Shan State emerged from the online gambling, which hired experts and supportive staff illegally. As of November 28th, over 43,000 illegal residents have been repatriated.

He also highlighted the terrorist acts conducted by the AA group, which originated in the KIA area in 2009. With the negotiation of the Nippon Foundation, the Tatmadaw ceased fire starting March 2021 and annulled the list of terrorists.

Since then, the AA group has recruited new members, abducted individuals, and interfered in administrative matters. Rakhine State has suffered extensive damages due to Cyclone Mocha, and the government has allocated a significant portion of the state budget for rehabilitation measures, which are now completed about 99%.

However, the AA group violated the ceasefire agreement and became involved in incidents with the MNDAA. The Prime Minister called for the cooperation of Rakhine nationals to achieve stability in the state. Concerning the KNPP/KNDF, the Prime Minister stated that their attack on Loikaw in Kayah State, using a mass number of forces, has been countered to some extent due to informants.

At present, the Loikaw area is under control. Regarding the KNU, which experienced tension due to political developments in 2021, the Prime Minister mentioned that KNLA Brigades 5 and 6 launched attacks on small Tatmadaw posts, as well as Myawady and Kawtkareik, deviating from the NCA path.

He stressed that the Tatmadaw will take effective action to combat terrorists while ensuring regional peace and stability, perpetuation of sovereignty, and protection of the lives and properties of the people, in cooperation with the Myanmar Police Force.

The Prime Minister added that there is false and fake news intentionally disseminated to create misunderstandings among the public. He urged concerned officials and organizations to carry out counteractions so the public can access true information.

The council members and the Secretary later reported on the illegal export of natural resources by the EAOs in Kachin State, welfare and health care activities for the displaced persons in Kayah State, providing true information about the terrorist acts by some EAOs and PDF, interference by powerful Western countries in the internal affairs of the country, and the efforts to ensure peace, stability, and the rule of law during 2023.

Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council, Deputy Prime Minister, Vice Senior General Soe Win, discussed the need to make cooperative efforts to acquire accurate information for eradicating the current armed conflicts.

In his conclusion, the Prime Minister emphasized taxation, banking services, boosting production, agricultural development, and the education sector. He stressed that the Tatmadaw will firmly continue its efforts to build a Union based on democracy and a federal system, which is desired by the entire population.