Efforts by the Myanmar Junta to hold on to power after illegally seizing control of the country in response to a 2021 election that didn’t go their way appear to be slipping away as the coalition of ethnic groups rejecting the Junta’s rule take over more and more territory as the junta runs out of men to even serve in their military.
A recent message from one of the country’s resistance leaders, Duwa Lashi La, reveals (in a Zoom interview with VOA) the groups are in talks with the Chinese, who might see the writing on the wall and want to be on friendly terms with the new government. He also revealed new territory taken and predicted the days of the Junta are soon to come to an end.
Myanmar’s Exiled Opposition Chief Says Battle Against Junta Has Turned – www.voanews.com
Excerpt:
… The following interview, which took place after a string of defeats for the country’s military junta, has been translated into English and edited for lengthy and clarity.
VOA: Have you determined that Myanmar has reached the stage of civil war? And are the ethnic armed groups on the ground in Myanmar, with help of the NUG, gaining momentum against the military junta?
Acting President Duwa Lashi La: When we look at the current situation on the ground, we can see that the battle has turned in our favor. As I have said before, it will come wave after wave, and the speed is only going to get higher and higher. The public and our [People’s Defense Forces, or PDF] have absolutely nothing to back down from. Very quickly now, [junta leader] Min Aung Hlaing will be completely removed from leadership. He knows his military coup was wrong. The power of the people will be returned to the hands of the people. Until that time, the war will escalate.
As we all know, especially since the beginning of the 1027 operation by the Three Brotherhoods Alliance, we have advanced step by step, and now we have occupied more than 200 [junta] military bases. In addition, many townships have been retaken, such as Kawlin, a very important town in Sagaing region. Many parts of Kokang region have also been retaken, so northern Shan state is in a very good position.