Myanmar's path to stability in confronting internal terrorists and external threats
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Tin Zar Lynn (NP News) - Oct 2
In our country, the ethnocentric and racist armed forces: MNDAA (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army – the Kokang terrorists), TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army – the Ta’ang terrorists), and AA (Arakan Army – the Rakhine terrorists) launched the combined military assaults to fulfill their unreasonable vision to disintegrate from the union.
They are currently in the position where they have taken control of certain towns from the government.
All these ethnocentric armed groups have been announced as terrorist organizations since September 2. Consequently, the government has warned that it will evaluate the locations of these terrorist groups and respond with military force to maintain control over its sovereign territories. Following this, the Tatmadaw launched a series of airstrikes as soon as they identified the locations of the armed groups.
Recently, Tatmadaw’s airstrikes in towns like Lashio and Hsipaw in northern Shan State have raised serious concerns and heightened alarms regarding the activities of these terrorist groups.
Media claims from terrorist groups and their supporters assert that civilians in the area are facing significant risks, including displacement and casualties and that rehabilitation efforts in the cities are hindered by the Tatmadaw’s airstrikes.
In reality, cities controlled by these armed groups are devastated and war-torn, and the government has issued warnings, making it genuinely unsafe for people to live there. As a result, most residents have not returned as long as these groups continue to exert control over the area.
Furthermore, the armed militants are utilizing civilian homes and administrative buildings in towns and villages where they have taken control to defend against the Tatmadaw’s counterattacks. Additionally, there are reports of efforts to recruit those who have been displaced as human shields by the MNDAAs.
Tatmadaw is committed to protecting the public from the violence of armed militants to ensure stability and authority. This is its primary responsibility as outlined in the Constitution. Therefore, moving forward, the military may increase its counter-terrorist military measures.
It is legal for a government to fight back against terrorists under both domestic and international law. Governments have the right to protect their citizens and maintain public order. This often includes taking military or law enforcement action against groups identified as terrorist organizations. Therefore, I firmly believe that it is lawful for the Tatmadaw to take action against terrorists who undermine the government's authority and perpetrate extrajudicial killings of civilians.
Additionally, financial supporters of terrorists engage in unlawful activities that significantly undermine national security. Providing funding to terrorist organizations is a direct violation of the 2014 Myanmar Counter-Terrorism Law and is considered a serious crime in jurisdictions.
Concerning the financial backers of terrorists, the Myanmar government has indicated that some terrorist groups receive funding from international sources, including entities in the United States. This external financial support hampers efforts to combat terrorism within Myanmar and challenges the government’s legitimacy and control.
As the terrorists are being defeated by the Tatmadaw airstrikes, the subversive media spreading misinformation of civilian casualties and increasingly advocating the international community to stop selling jet fuel to the Tatmadaw. Consequently, on September 21, following the conclusion of the Quad summit, a joint statement urged the member countries to refrain from arms shipments to Myanmar, including jet fuel. This indicates that the United States and its allies are trying to strangle Myanmar government in handling its own domestic conflicts and maintaining sovereignty.
In conclusion, the conflict in Myanmar, driven by the actions of ethnocentric armed groups like the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA, poses significant challenges to national security and stability. As the Tatmadaw, it may be necessary to use force at this time to maintain control over the situation. Consequently, there may be both minimal and significant losses related to living and non-living things associated with the terrorist armed groups. Everyone should understand that these actions are taken with the national interest and security in mind. Additionally, it's important to note that financial support from international sources further undermines the government's authority and national security. It is crucial for the government to navigate these challenges effectively while upholding its constitutional responsibilities to ensure the safety and rights of its citizens.