Despite widespread domestic and international condemnation of the military junta’s airstrikes on civilian targets, newly appointed regime Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yar Pyae said the bombing operations were intended to achieve peace.
“Mainly, they [questions raised in the media] are based on human rights and humanitarian concerns regarding the bombings. From our perspective, the current military operations are actually steps taken to obtain peace,” Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, who also serves as chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), said during his closing address to a workshop marking the 11th Anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on October 16.
The military regime routinely bombs civilian targets in resistance-held territories in an effort to undermine anti-regime groups’ administration and to coerce them into joining its purported peace talks. The tactic worked well in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region, where it managed to force the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and its ally, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), to stop fighting, agree to China-brokered ceasefires and hand over some seized towns.
The regime continues to use the tactic in other regions and states including Rakhine State, which is almost entirely controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), an ally of MNDAA and TNLA.
On September 28, the regime conducted an airstrike targeting the busy Indian Market in the AA-controlled town of Kyauktaw, killing at least 50 people. The attack drew fierce condemnation from the UN, the UK, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights and various human rights organizations.
Since the 2021 military coup, the Myanmar military has consistently launched airstrikes across revolutionary strongholds, including the Anyar region (also known as the Dry Zone) and ethnic minority regions—targeting not only military sites, but also schools, hospitals, religious buildings and civilian homes.
Even as it makes peace overtures, the regime continues to engage in heavy fighting with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Bhamo, and clashes are ongoing with the AA in Rakhine State. Airstrikes also continue to target civilians in the Anyar region, where People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) maintain a strong presence.
Amid the ongoing air raids on resistance-held areas, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing made what he called an unconditional peace invitation during the 11th NCA anniversary event in Naypyitaw on October 15. The regime nonetheless continues to pressure the PDFs—the main armed resistance groups across the country—to lay down their arms and surrender.
According to statements made during a press conference at the close of the NCA anniversary workshop, invitations to peace talks were extended to the KIA, but not to the AA.
Furthermore, Min Aung Hlaing stated on October 15 that if ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) wish to engage in politics, they must disarm and form political parties; if they wish to conduct business, they must do so legally; and if they wish to serve in defense, they must join the Border Guard Forces (BGF).
In 2009, the military heavily pressured EAOs to transform into Border Guard Forces. With few exceptions, however, the initiative largely failed.
The KIA, which is currently engaged in intense fighting with the military, was one of the major ethnic armed groups that refused to transform into a BGF at that time. During the Spring Revolution that erupted in response to the coup, the KIA earned the Myanmar military’s ire by providing military training, weapons and combat support to anti-junta PDF forces.
Similarly, following Operation 1027, the AA seized control of most towns in Rakhine State, including a regional military command center. Since then, the regime has launched several offensives to retake lost territory in the state.
While urging PDFs to surrender and asking EAOs to join the BGF, Min Aung Hlaing also told ethnic representatives attending the NCA ceremony that he would cooperate with those willing to work together on peace, while actively finding methods to handle those who refuse to cooperate.