The military council’s spokesperson Zaw Min Tun announced yesterday evening that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Karen National Union (KNU), and People’s Defense Force (PDF), along with other ethnic armed organizations, continue to attack military positions during the Thingyan period. While the military council declared a ceasefire from April 2 to April 22 for earthquake relief efforts, Zaw Min Tun claimed that ethnic armed organizations continue to attack military outposts, stating that despite the military’s observance of the Thingyan period ceasefire, they are still being attacked.
According to Zaw Min Tun’s statement, KIA forces attacked civilian homes and a military outpost in Myit Lwe ward of Banmaw town around 10 PM on April 13. The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) reportedly conducted drone attacks on a security outpost in Bawlakhe town at 7 AM on April 13. Additionally, KNU forces attacked the Htee Ta outpost with drones and dropped bombs on April 12 at midnight and April 13 at 9:30 PM, reportedly launching over 70 dropped bombs. He also mentioned that the Myinmu PDF attacked civilian homes and a security outpost in Alaka village in Myinmu at 1:30 PM on April 13, and similar drone attacks were reported on the Thitkauk Taung security outpost in Saling area at around 4:30 PM.
However, the military council spokesperson made no mention of the military’s ongoing operations and airstrikes, instead presenting a one-sided narrative portraying themselves solely as victims of attacks. In reality, the military council has been continuously conducting airstrikes throughout the country, including in Rakhine, Sagaing, Magway, Bago, and Chin State, from Thingyan Eve through Thingyan Akya Day. According to the National Unity Government (NUG)’s statement, the military council has conducted over 70 airstrikes since declaring the ceasefire, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 civilians.
