Civil war may flare up in Myanmar after rebels threaten; rebels support pro-democracy agitation

Naypyidaw: – While the Myanmar military is openly massacring the pro-democracy agitation, the rebels in the country have threatened a new conflict against the military. Four major rebel organisations have threatened that if the military does not stop the massacring of innocent people, the organisations will participate with the protestors and retaliate against the military. The threat points to a fierce civil war breaking out in Myanmar. Meanwhile, the repercussions of the Myanmar military’s inhuman actions against the protestors are being felt on the international level and the United States, Japan, and even the ASEAN countries have announced fresh actions.

Myanmar military is consistently carrying out actions against the pro-democracy protestors. As per the information revealed by voluntary organisations in Myanmar, a whopping 550 people have been killed and thousands have been injured, in the military actions, over the last two months. Nearly 3,000 people have been sent to prison, which includes political activists as well as journalists. The pro-democracy protests are receiving a huge response, despite the military actions, and hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the street to participate in the protests.

The rebel organisations in Myanmar also have jumped into the fray joining the agitations against the military. Many ethnic groups are carrying on armed conflicts for autonomy since the last few decades. Some time ago, the Myanmar military had announced a ceasefire with these groups. A group like the Arakan Army was removed from the list of terrorist organisations. Therefore, it was being believed that the Myanmar army had succeeded in establishing peace on that front. But the peace on this front seems to be developing cracks, given the pro-democracy agitation.

The Myanmar military had initiated airstrikes in the Karen State to crush the pro-democracy agitation. Rebel association, Karen National Union, announced that the ceasefire agreed with the military has ended with these airstrikes. It is being reported that the association has started attacks on the police and military posts in the Karen State over the last few weeks. The Karen National Union has warned that it would retaliate if the military attacked innocent citizens in their area.

Following this, three leading rebel organisations in Myanmar have published a statement threatening the military. The rebel organisations warned that if the military does not stop violence and killing innocent citizens, we will join hands with the protestors and retaliate against the military. The organisations issuing this treat include Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army. The international human rights group warned that if these groups initiate the conflict, Myanmar will witness a horrific civil war.

Meanwhile, the United States has stopped all the defence supplies to Myanmar, given the actions taken by the Myanmar military. At the same time, some US diplomats and staff members in Myanmar also have been recalled. Whereas, Japan has decided to stop the new economic cooperation with Myanmar. ASEAN members Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, have released a statement strongly denouncing the actions of the Myanmar military and have indicated to initiate an action.