Ethnic armed organizations active in eastern and western Burma/Myanmar, have come together to condemn the military junta, atrocities being committed against civilians.
The Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army, affirmed their strong support of the protests that have been taking place countrywide since February 1 of this year.
The armed groups refer to themselves as the Three Brotherhood Alliance that dates back to 2016. This alliance was originally formed after the NLD Government and Myanmar Army repeatedly refused their participation in peace dialogue talks held in the capital Nay Pyi Taw between 2016 and 2020.
The Alliance statement makes clear their in opposition to the creation of the State Administrative Council (SAC) and they condemn the killing over 500 unarmed civilians, including women and children,
The Alliance statement indicated they may review SAC’s verbal claim of commitment to a ceasefire agreement — particularly if the SAC keeps terrorizing its own citizens.
Political analysts predict the Three Brother Alliance will follow suit with the ethnic armies of the Kachin National Union (KNU) and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) that have both fought against the military junta, and who also support the pro-democracy movement.
A Mon political analyst, Dr. Ponnya Mon, said, “I am not surprised to see AA, TLNA and MNDAA’s statement. Although the three groups had declared a unilateral cease-fire with the Burmese Army, they are in close alliance with KIO. In fact, AA’s HQs is in Laiza. Therefore, they, especially AA, cannot avoid the fight if KIO is fighting with the Burmese Army. I think it is part of the reasons that the three groups have issued the statement”.
He also believes that there will be more widespread fighting between the ethnic armed resistance groups and the Burmese Army in Kachin State and Shan State, and even in Arakan State.
Suthichai Yoon, Bangkok Post’s Editor, commented, “if the Gen. Min Aung Hlaing orders more killing of more ethnic civilians, the ethnic armed groups will automatically collaborate with in-country protests, as they found that they are the same oppressed.”
To date over 500 innocent civilians in the country’s cities and towns have been killed, thousands injured and arrested. The KNU first claimed they must stand alongside unarmed demonstrators. They have provided protection to demonstrators in Karen and Mon States, and prevented even more killing from the SAC’s security forces.
In early and mid-March, after violence and arrests occurred in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, KIO and KIA troops fought back against the military regime, and overran some Myanmar Army’s military outposts in Kachin State.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance Statement was also released in Chinese to inform the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of their position toward the military junta and the SAC.
