Article: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3216884/asean-calls-end-myanmar-violence-after-100-killed-military-air-strike
A recent airstrike conducted by the in-power military junta struck Sagaing, Myanmar. There have been continued military fights between the military junta who took power in 2021, and multiple revolutionary and civilian groups. One of the largest revolutionary groups is the National Unity Group (NUG), and the claimed reason why the junta assaulted the village. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the junta said, “During that opening ceremony, we conducted the attack. PDF members were killed. They are the ones opposing the government of the country, the people of the country.” As of right now, there are 100 confirmed dead, including 16 children. ASEAN has come out and reprimanded the military junta for their actions, but has done little to prevent anything, or negotiate. The ASEAN Indonesia chair said, “All forms of violence must end immediately, particularly the use of force against civilians.” ASEAN has also agreed on a peace plan, but it hasn’t been implemented yet. That, and the fact that multiple ASEAN members are growing frustrated at the small affect they have had on the issue. The UN Security Council has made statements on this specific event, but even among them there are differing opinions. For example, the Russian ambassador calling for more information and a clearer picture, and the chinese ambassador calling for peace and negotiation.
They’re not going to do anything. I don’t think anybody will do anything at this point. If anything, countries will just be waiting for the war to end or will be getting friendly with the military junta. China already is. And nobody wants to intervene, because why would you? It’s frustrating, especially with people just saying, “negotiate.” You don’t negotiate with a military coup. You don’t really negotiate with revolutionary groups, because how would you? And how would this country be split up with a peaceful treaty? Can almost guarantee that if that peaceful negotiation and agreement actually happened like some countries want, the junta or the revolutionary group will invade the other.
This article pertains to the class because all nations involved are in my assigned region, and my semester 2 paper is about Myanmar.