Myanmar's junta invites to peace talks

The military junta in Myanmar is urging its armed opponents to lay down their weapons and participate in peace talks. The move comes after three and a half years of civil war in the country, where the junta is increasingly desperate in its struggle for power over the country.

» Updated:

» Published:

Myanmar's junta invites to peace talks
Photo: Aung Shine Oo/AP/TT

Share this article

"We urge armed minority groups, terrorist rebel groups, and terrorist PDF groups fighting against the state to give up terrorist struggles and communicate with us to resolve political problems through political means,” says the junta in a statement on Thursday.

PDF is an abbreviation for People's Defence Forces, which are civilian groups that have taken up arms in the fight against the military regime.

This is the first time the junta has extended an olive branch to its opponents since the junta seized power in a coup in February 2021, which plunged Myanmar into civil war. The junta has lost control over large parts of the country to the armed opposition. Thousands have been killed and tens of thousands have been arrested.

The military has lost large parts of its territory in border areas over the past year following a major surprise offensive led by a trio of armed groups from minority groups.

The groups have taken control of lucrative border crossings and last month they captured Lashio, a city with 150,000 inhabitants – the largest urban center to fall into the rebels' hands since 1962.

Besides fighting to maintain power over the country, the junta is also struggling with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, where more than 400 people died and hundreds of thousands are still in need of assistance.

The UN warned last week that Myanmar was on the verge of plummeting into an "abyss" for human rights and detailed the shocking torture inflicted by the military on people in its custody.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

IDF Expands Cooperation with Gaza Militias Amid Control Concerns

IDF Expands Cooperation with Gaza Militias Amid Control Concerns

Thousands Protest Trump Visit in London Urging Government to Show Backbone

Thousands Protest Trump Visit in London Urging Government to Show Backbone

50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire

50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire

Lebanon Military Seizes 64 Million Captagon Tablets in Major Raid

Lebanon Military Seizes 64 Million Captagon Tablets in Major Raid

Gaza Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 65,000

Gaza Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 65,000

EU Eases Proposed Cider Juice Content Regulations

EU Eases Proposed Cider Juice Content Regulations

Spain Arrests 19 for Torture and Murder on Migrant Boat

Spain Arrests 19 for Torture and Murder on Migrant Boat

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Ministers and Trade Over Gaza

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Ministers and Trade Over Gaza

Denmark Plans to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons

Denmark Plans to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Germany Warns Iran Over Lack of Action to Avoid UN Sanctions

Germany Warns Iran Over Lack of Action to Avoid UN Sanctions

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Trump Welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle During UK State Visit

Trump Welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle During UK State Visit

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns