CNI News
12 Jan 2023
The latest airstrikes against the Chin National Front headquarters amounted to warnings against cooperation with the Spring Revolution, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.
Recently, the junta bombed the central outposts of the PSLF/TNLA to warn against cooperation with the PDFs, he added.
He told the CNI, " The junta is putting military pressure on the CNF to stop cooperation with the Spring Revolution led by the NUG and to deal with them. Such airstrikes were also launched on the central outpost of the TNLA in Namhasm recently. Then, junta troops said they made a mistake and withdrew. They launched fierce airstrikes there for three days before withdrawing. The airstrikes aimed to prevent the three brotherhood organizations from joining the Spring Revolution."
A map showing the airstrikes of the junta against the CNF headquarters on 10th January, 2023. (CHRO)
The junta launched airstrikes against the Victoria Headquarters of the CNF in Thantlang Township in Chin State at the border between Myanmar and India at about 4 pm on 10th January, killing five members of the CNF and injuring others.
As it was impossible to hold political negotiations between the two sides, armed conflicts have escalated, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.
He said, "Both sides have been engaged in armed conflicts. It is clear that there are engagements in armed conflicts because it is impossible to hold negotiations. In addition, it is not strange that engagements continue when one side opens the way for talks but the other side cannot take the way. Inviting to peace talks and opening the way aim to avoid such incidents and restore national reconciliation. Peace cannot be restored unilaterally. It depends on the will of all stakeholders. EAOs do not want to take the path because they misunderstand it and such engagements will erupt.
Zero-sum games without seeking political dialogue will inflict damage to the public, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.
Airstrikes against the CNF headquarters on 10th January, 2023.
He said, "The junta is trying to solve the political issues through political dialogue not only with signatories to the NCA but also with the non-signatories like the UWSA. The NUG and the PDF rejected dialogue by seeking zero-sum games. As they have been in existence for a while, they don't have the same view with some EAOs. Meanwhile, some other EAOs are supporting them. So, the junta considers such EAOs as enemies and launches airstrikes. As long as they engage in zero-sum gains, the public and the country will suffer."
The Chin Joint Defence Committee said it never trusted the junta and never engaged in dialogue with the junta, a spokesperson to the CJDC told the CNI.
He said, "We have never engaged in political dialogue with the junta. They will do what they have to do. We never trust their statements and announcements. We were not shocked about the airstrikes."
The CNF is a Chin ethnic armed organization that signed the NCA.
However, it has cooperated with LDF or CDG in fighting against the junta after political changes since 1st February, 2021.
