At the 80th Armed Forces Day ceremony held in Naypyidaw, military council leader Min Aung Hlaing announced that the military has no tradition of yielding to pressure and will continue its military operations. In his statement, he accused some ethnic armed organizations of taking advantage of the country’s political problems and working with People’s Defense Forces (PDF) to destabilize national security and stability through various means.
He further claimed that the current situation, where different regions are attempting to establish their own autonomous rule, could potentially harm ethnic unity. As a result, he declared that the military would continue its operations. He also stated that ethnic armed organizations and PDFs have been invited to abandon their armed struggle and resolve political issues through party politics and the electoral process. The military council leader emphasized their commitment to protecting the 2008 Constitution, claiming that the military is fulfilling its national political duties under Articles 20(f) and 6(f) of the constitution. He added that the military will continue to engage in national politics for the country’s affairs.
These declarations from Min Aung Hlaing demonstrate the military council’s intention to maintain its grip on power and continue actions that oppose the will of the people. The military council’s stance on continuing military operations and its refusal to consider compromise reflects its ongoing approach to suppress opposition forces and maintain control through military means, despite widespread resistance from various armed groups and the civilian population. This position further reinforces the military’s determination to defend the 2008 Constitution, which guarantees the military’s role in national politics, despite widespread calls for democratic reforms and an end to military rule.
