CNI News
26 October 2025
The expansion of armed conflicts in many regions is due to the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) having to act defensively against the opposing forces, said Colonel Wunna Aung from the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).
He was responding to questions from the media at a press conference on October 17, 2025, concerning the NCA (10th) Anniversary event and the peace process workshop.
Colonel Wunna Aung from the NSPNC stated that the Myanmar military is compelled to retaliate because the opposing armed groups have crossed into its territory and initiated battles, even in urban areas.
He said, "In any case, besides initiating battles in the towns and cities, there are terrorist acts. They are destroying all the infrastructure. We discussed this in our meeting, following the saying that it is necessary to understand and distinguish between the government and the state. One must understand the government, and one must understand the state. Besides destroying all the state's infrastructure, they are also terrorizing and killing peaceful citizens, treating them as enemies if they are not on their side, which we are reporting in the news. Anyway, when the other side crosses into our territory, initiates battles in urban areas, and carries out terrorist activities, we sometimes have to fight in self-defense. Therefore, we are forced to take protective action in response to terrorism. That is why we want and desire peace. That is also why, at this time, we are raising various topics related to peace and working to involve the armed groups in the peace process and to inform the people."
Colonel Wunna Aung of the NSPNC said that previously, the ethnic armed organizations that signed the NCA were no longer in the cities but remained in their former locations, observing a ceasefire and negotiating peace with one another.
Military and political observers point out that since the political change in Myanmar in 2021, the number of armed groups has increased, and armed conflicts have become larger and more widespread, leading to a greater number of civilian casualties.
Colonel Wunna Aung from NSPNC seen at the press conference on October 17, 2025
Due to these developments, the Myanmar peace process continues to be necessary, and the civil war must stop, added Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), at the press conference on October 17.
He said, "Our Myanmar peace process is still needed. Even though there is a war, we discussed at this 10th-anniversary event that it is necessary to stop this civil war for the sake of the people, the country, and the interests of the entire nation, so that everyone across the nation and the world knows—all citizens and ethnic groups, both in the war zones and the non-war zones, know what is needed in their hearts. People in the war zones are moving to non-war zones. They feel it in their hearts; their homes, their children, and their grandchildren are left behind. There are groups who come here and groups who are left there, and sometimes they can't even connect with each other."
While the government has officially announced that the first phase of the election will be held on December 28, there have been no unofficial meetings between the military and the armed groups currently engaged in fighting on the ground.
Therefore, military and political observers point out that the government that comes into power after the election will face significant challenges regarding peace.
Currently, the Myanmar military is also seen gradually working to regain control of the territories it has lost.
