For about two years, says 24-year-old Yan, a former Myanmar police officer, he risked his life pretending to serve the military junta while secretly spying for the armed resistance.

“I freed myself from unfair orders,” he told Reuters from a room in a town near the Myanmar border where he said he was taking refuge after fleeing the country in April. Yan declined to give his full name because of the threat to his life. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Myanmar's junta is facing the fiercest threat to its power since seizing control in a 2021 coup as it battles an unprecedented alliance of opponents while weakened by some internal dissent and defections.

The junta did not respond to requests for comment by Reuters. It has acknowledged some loss of control. 
 
The junta has not commented on spies within its ranks, but pro-military social media channels have exposed soldiers who appear sympathetic to the rebels.

Opposition groups said it was difficult to determine how many members of the security forces supplied information to the resistance, and their number was likely small given the risk, but they play a crucial role.

They have supplied intelligence, including about the transportation of military supplies, that has helped opposition groups plan attacks, a spokesperson for People’s Goal, a group that supports defectors, told Reuters.

“We have received information which has saved lives,” the spokesperson said, referring to tip-offs about impending attacks or air strikes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/drop-bombs-retaking-myanmar-sky-675089">Watch |&nbsp;'Drop Bombs' retaking Myanmar sky</a>

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<h2>Watermelons</h2>

Yan, who joined the police force in late 2020, following in the footsteps of his brother, said he became disillusioned after the coup when he witnessed the arbitrary arrest of protesters during a brutal military crackdown.

“People started treating us like ghosts,” Yan said. “They hated us.”

He said his brother fled the country and connected Yan to opposition groups cultivating sources inside the security forces known in Burmese as “watermelons” – green on the outside, appearing loyal to the army, but red, the colour of the ousted National League for Democracy government, on the inside.

Yan said he crept out of the police station and sent messages by phone out of sight of his colleagues, including about routes taken by senior junta figures and the number of police, fuel, and weapons in various places. He said he did not know how the rebel groups used the information he supplied.

Reuters could not independently confirm his account. 
 
One military defector told Reuters it was rare for members of the armed forces to spy for rebel groups but there were many who “turned a blind eye” to rebel activities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-rebel-groups-launch-attacks-against-military-junta-652067">Also read |&nbsp;Myanmar: Rebel groups launch attacks against military junta</a>

<h2>Mass defections</h2>

Internal dissent poses a serious problem for the junta, some analysts say. Washington D.C-based think-tank the United States Institute for Peace estimates as many as 8,000 people have fled the security forces.

Yan and his brother, Ye, said the junta was struggling to recruit while police were poorly equipped and trained, making them reluctant to fight and quick to surrender, the pair said.

Previously, military battalions were made up of several hundred members but now most number little more than 130, a figure analysts agree with, former army captain Htet Myat told Reuters by phone.

Htet Myat, now a prominent opposition figure helping defectors, said the recent offensive had accelerated defections.

But, stranded in a foreign country, life can be a hard scrabble. Yan, who is single, and his brother and sister-in-law have started a business making and selling fabric printed with leaves from their home country.

Yan said their sacrifice amounted to a fraction of that made by others.

“I did what I had to do,” he said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

For about two years, says 24-year-old Yan, a former Myanmar police officer, he risked his life pretending to serve the military junta while secretly spying for the armed resistance.

For about two years, says 24-year-old Yan, a former Myanmar police officer, he risked his life pretending to serve the military junta while secretly spying for the armed resistance. “I freed myself from unfair orders,” he told Reuters from a room in a town near the Myanmar border where he said he was taking refuge after fleeing the country in April. Yan declined to give his full name because of the threat to his life. Myanmar's junta is facing the fiercest threat to its power since seizing control in a 2021 coup as it battles an unprecedented alliance of opponents while weakened by some internal dissent and defections. The junta did not respond to requests for comment by Reuters. It has acknowledged some loss of control. The junta has not commented on spies within its ranks, but pro-military social media channels have exposed soldiers who appear sympathetic to the rebels. Opposition groups said it was difficult to determine how many members of the security forces supplied information to the resistance, and their number was likely small given the risk, but they play a crucial role. They have supplied intelligence, including about the transportation of military supplies, that has helped opposition groups plan attacks, a spokesperson for People’s Goal, a group that supports defectors, told Reuters. “We have received information which has saved lives,” the spokesperson said, referring to tip-offs about impending attacks or air strikes. Watch | 'Drop Bombs' retaking Myanmar sky × Watermelons Yan, who joined the police force in late 2020, following in the footsteps of his brother, said he became disillusioned after the coup when he witnessed the arbitrary arrest of protesters during a brutal military crackdown. “People started treating us like ghosts,” Yan said. “They hated us.” He said his brother fled the country and connected Yan to opposition groups cultivating sources inside the security forces known in Burmese as “watermelons” – green on the outside, appearing loyal to the army, but red, the colour of the ousted National League for Democracy government, on the inside. Yan said he crept out of the police station and sent messages by phone out of sight of his colleagues, including about routes taken by senior junta figures and the number of police, fuel, and weapons in various places. He said he did not know how the rebel groups used the information he supplied. Reuters could not independently confirm his account. One military defector told Reuters it was rare for members of the armed forces to spy for rebel groups but there were many who “turned a blind eye” to rebel activities. Also read | Myanmar: Rebel groups launch attacks against military junta Mass defections Internal dissent poses a serious problem for the junta, some analysts say. Washington D.C-based think-tank the United States Institute for Peace estimates as many as 8,000 people have fled the security forces. Yan and his brother, Ye, said the junta was struggling to recruit while police were poorly equipped and trained, making them reluctant to fight and quick to surrender, the pair said. Previously, military battalions were made up of several hundred members but now most number little more than 130, a figure analysts agree with, former army captain Htet Myat told Reuters by phone. Htet Myat, now a prominent opposition figure helping defectors, said the recent offensive had accelerated defections. But, stranded in a foreign country, life can be a hard scrabble. Yan, who is single, and his brother and sister-in-law have started a business making and selling fabric printed with leaves from their home country. Yan said their sacrifice amounted to a fraction of that made by others. “I did what I had to do,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar junta’s ‘watermelons’ challenge; soldiers on the outside, spies inside

The military junta in Myanmar appears to be miffed with Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft, supplied by Islamabad to Yangon between 2019 and 2021 has been declared "unfit for operations", according to local Myanmar media <a href="https://www.narinjara.com/news/detail/64ee9e00dc986646c77b707e">reports</a>.&nbsp;

Military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has expressed his displeasure over the faulty condition of the aircraft, with none of the fighter jets being in operational condition. Currently, Myanmar has 11 JF-17 aircraft, developed jointly by China and Pakistan.

Junta's frustrations have increased, especially after Islamabad dispatched a technical team for repair and maintenance of the aircraft, in a rather clandestine manner, last year.

Nearly five years after they were commissioned, the JF-17s still cannot be used for combat by the Myanmar Air Force because of their subpar accuracy, according to Eurasian Times. Consequently,&nbsp;Myanmar’s Air Force is forced to depend on Russian-made Yak-130 and MiG-29 fighter jets and Chinese K-8 fighters.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-26-including-six-children-killed-in-fresh-fighting-between-army-and-resistance-fighters-604760">Also read |&nbsp;Myanmar: At least 26, including six children, killed in fresh fighting between army and resistance fighters</a>

<h2>Junta caught between rock and a hard place&nbsp;</h2>

Isolated by the West, the junta has created a military-industrial partnership with Pakistan at China's behest. However, both countries are notorious for their faulty, plagiarised and cheap tech. The junta has found it the hard way but in the absence of options, all it can do is express displeasure and hope the situation improves.

The grounding of JF-17 jets means that Islamabad's hopes of selling&nbsp;heavy machine guns, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and M-79 grenade launchers to Myanmar may have taken a hit as well. Additionally, the country was hoping to sell air-to-surface missiles for the JF-17 jets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Apart from the horrid run in Myanmar, the JF-17s&nbsp;have had a poor stint in the African nation of Nigeria as well. The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) inducted 15 F-7 NI fighter aircraft in 2009. However, by 2018, six out of the 15 jets had crashed.

Ironically, Pakistan has been struggling with JF-17s as well. Multiple reports have claimed that JF-17 requires&nbsp;high-operational maintenance while costing a fortune to the exchequer, compared to most modern military aircraft.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-abysmal-state-of-armed-conflict-insurgency-chaos-anarchy-details-604681">WATCH |&nbsp;Myanmar: Abysmal state of armed conflict, insurgency, chaos &amp; anarchy | Details</a>

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Since the military removed Myanmar’s democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2021 and overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi, the country has been in perpetual state of crisis.&nbsp;

The country's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), formed out of the ashes of NLD, is currently fighting against the junta. The JF-17 debacle may come as good news for the Resistance forces who may attempt to seize on the initiative.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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The military junta in Myanmar appears to be miffed with Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft, supplied by Islamabad to Yangon between 2019 and 2021 has been declared "unfit for operations", according to local Myanmar media reports.

The military junta in Myanmar appears to be miffed with Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft, supplied by Islamabad to Yangon between 2019 and 2021 has been declared "unfit for operations", according to local Myanmar media reports. Military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has expressed his displeasure over the faulty condition of the aircraft, with none of the fighter jets being in operational condition. Currently, Myanmar has 11 JF-17 aircraft, developed jointly by China and Pakistan. Junta's frustrations have increased, especially after Islamabad dispatched a technical team for repair and maintenance of the aircraft, in a rather clandestine manner, last year. Nearly five years after they were commissioned, the JF-17s still cannot be used for combat by the Myanmar Air Force because of their subpar accuracy, according to Eurasian Times. Consequently, Myanmar’s Air Force is forced to depend on Russian-made Yak-130 and MiG-29 fighter jets and Chinese K-8 fighters. Also read | Myanmar: At least 26, including six children, killed in fresh fighting between army and resistance fighters Junta caught between rock and a hard place Isolated by the West, the junta has created a military-industrial partnership with Pakistan at China's behest. However, both countries are notorious for their faulty, plagiarised and cheap tech. The junta has found it the hard way but in the absence of options, all it can do is express displeasure and hope the situation improves. The grounding of JF-17 jets means that Islamabad's hopes of selling heavy machine guns, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and M-79 grenade launchers to Myanmar may have taken a hit as well. Additionally, the country was hoping to sell air-to-surface missiles for the JF-17 jets. Apart from the horrid run in Myanmar, the JF-17s have had a poor stint in the African nation of Nigeria as well. The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) inducted 15 F-7 NI fighter aircraft in 2009. However, by 2018, six out of the 15 jets had crashed. Ironically, Pakistan has been struggling with JF-17s as well. Multiple reports have claimed that JF-17 requires high-operational maintenance while costing a fortune to the exchequer, compared to most modern military aircraft. WATCH | Myanmar: Abysmal state of armed conflict, insurgency, chaos & anarchy | Details × Since the military removed Myanmar’s democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2021 and overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi, the country has been in perpetual state of crisis. The country's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), formed out of the ashes of NLD, is currently fighting against the junta. The JF-17 debacle may come as good news for the Resistance forces who may attempt to seize on the initiative. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Myanmar junta troubled by 'unfit for operation' Pakistan-made JF-17 fighter jets

Four people were killed while several others were injured in a series of car bombings at a pagoda in eastern Myanmar on Thursday. The incident took place at the Yan Taing Aung pagoda in Lashio township, Shan state where revellers had gathered to celebrate the start of the Buddhist new year.

Four people were killed while several others were injured in a series of car bombings at a pagoda in eastern Myanmar on Thursday. The incident took place at the Yan Taing Aung pagoda in Lashio township, Shan state where revellers had gathered to celebrate the start of the Buddhist new year. The Thingyan festival is usually a joyful occasion where people come together to celebrate and play public water fights. However, since Myanmar plunged into the nadir of unending violence following the military coup, the event has been politicised with pro-democracy activists calling for a boycott of junta-organised events. At least three vehicles were destroyed in the attack with a rescue worker saying, "Four men were killed on spot." Overall, 12 people were injured while two remained in serious condition, all had been quickly transported to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, the authorities are sanitising the area for further explosives. Junta airstrike on village The bombings come in the backdrop of the Myanmar junta carrying out airstrikes on a village that killed over 130 people, in what many have termed as the deadliest attack by the military after seizing power in a coup two years ago. The villagers told AFP that it was difficult to identify the dead. "We can not identify anymore who is who among the dead because they are all pieces." Will crush dissent: Junta chief The attack transpired a few days after junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said he would take "decisive action" against the country’s rebel National Unity Government (NUG) and its allied ethnic armed groups. "The terror acts of NUG and its lackey so-called People's Defence Forces (PDFs) need to be tackled for good and all," said Hlaing. To crush the resistance led by the NUG and PDFs, he commanded his soldiers to "effectively use the firearms provided." The junta chief said that the military would then hold "free and fair elections" upon the completion of the state of emergency. ALSO READ | Myanmar junta's airstrikes kill at least 100, leave town with screaming people and body parts everywhere The Myanmar army has dealt with dissenting groups using an iron fist ever since coming to power. Those opposing the junta rule have been mercilessly killed. According to various estimates, the crackdown against anti-junta voices has left more than 3,200 people dead. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Four killed, several injured in car bomb blasts during New Year festival in Myanmar

US will soon impose more sanctions on Myanmar&nbsp;to thwart all efforts by the junta in the Southeast Asian nation to generate revenue and procure arms. A senior State Department official said Wednesday that further sanctions will be announced in coming days, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

While speaking with media personnel in Jakarta, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said, "We're committed to ratchet up the pressure on the junta and make it harder for them to generate revenue, which is fuelling its war machine."

Chollet further said, "Myanmar is on the path to becoming a failed state in the heart of Southeast Asia."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-reach-agreement-on-second-power-of-siberia-gas-pipeline-574515">Russia, China reach agreement on second Power of Siberia gas pipeline</a>

The humanitarian crises in Burma have only gotten worse since the military overthrew the government on February 1, 2021.&nbsp;According to reports, there have been close to 3,000 fatalities, 17,000 arrests, and over&nbsp;1.5 million people got displaced.

Chollet added that Russia must stop its arms supply to Myanmar's junta. "One way that can happen is if the junta is no longer able to import arms and we would make a very large step in that direction if Russia were to stop supplying arms to Myanmar," he said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-approves-its-first-mrna-vaccine-months-after-easing-covid-restrictions-574576">China approves its first mRNA vaccine, months after easing Covid restrictions</a>

The United States has been working to strengthen its relationship with ASEAN and its members over the situation in Burma. Chollet urged the grouping to exclude Myanmar's political representation from all of its meetings.&nbsp;

United States says that it will continue to support the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar to establish peace and multi-party administration.&nbsp;United States and other Western nations have already issued a number of sanctions that target the military government's agencies, enterprises, and people. According to Chollet, the US has sanctioned 80 people and more than 30 organisations in Myanmar so far.

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/no-winners-in-a-nuclear-war-russia-china-joint-statement-574571">'No winners in a nuclear war': Russia-China joint statement</a>

"The regime needs to fully understand that as long as it is continuing to prosecute such a brutal a campaign against their own people that they will suffer the consequences for that -- and that will include further isolation in the international community." 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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US will soon impose more sanctions on Myanmar to thwart all efforts by the junta in the Southeast Asian nation to generate revenue and procure arms. A senior State Department official said Wednesday that further sanctions will be announced in coming days, reported Reuters.

US will soon impose more sanctions on Myanmar to thwart all efforts by the junta in the Southeast Asian nation to generate revenue and procure arms. A senior State Department official said Wednesday that further sanctions will be announced in coming days, reported Reuters. While speaking with media personnel in Jakarta, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said, "We're committed to ratchet up the pressure on the junta and make it harder for them to generate revenue, which is fuelling its war machine." Chollet further said, "Myanmar is on the path to becoming a failed state in the heart of Southeast Asia." Also Read | Russia, China reach agreement on second Power of Siberia gas pipeline The humanitarian crises in Burma have only gotten worse since the military overthrew the government on February 1, 2021. According to reports, there have been close to 3,000 fatalities, 17,000 arrests, and over 1.5 million people got displaced. Chollet added that Russia must stop its arms supply to Myanmar's junta. "One way that can happen is if the junta is no longer able to import arms and we would make a very large step in that direction if Russia were to stop supplying arms to Myanmar," he said. Also Read | China approves its first mRNA vaccine, months after easing Covid restrictions The United States has been working to strengthen its relationship with ASEAN and its members over the situation in Burma. Chollet urged the grouping to exclude Myanmar's political representation from all of its meetings. United States says that it will continue to support the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar to establish peace and multi-party administration. United States and other Western nations have already issued a number of sanctions that target the military government's agencies, enterprises, and people. According to Chollet, the US has sanctioned 80 people and more than 30 organisations in Myanmar so far. Watch | 'No winners in a nuclear war': Russia-China joint statement "The regime needs to fully understand that as long as it is continuing to prosecute such a brutal a campaign against their own people that they will suffer the consequences for that -- and that will include further isolation in the international community." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US to impose more sanctions on Myanmar, says Russia must stop arms supply to junta

An international aid group and opponents of Myanmar’s ruling military have accused soldiers of killing at least 35 villagers who were fleeing combat on Christmas Eve and of then burning their bodies. The aid group said that two of its staff members may have been among those killed.

Photographs said to have been taken at the scene, in Kayah state, show the charred remains of bodies in the back of three trucks. According to the aid group, Save the Children, a car that two of its staff members had been using to drive home for the holidays was among a dozen or so charred vehicles at the scene. The staff members are now missing, the group said.

“We are horrified at the violence carried out against innocent civilians and our staff, who are dedicated humanitarians, supporting millions of children in need across Myanmar,” Save the Children’s chief executive, Inger Ashing, said in a statement Saturday.

The army, which ruled Myanmar for nearly half a century before granting civilian leaders some power a decade ago, seized full control again in a Feb. 1 coup and has since mounted a vicious crackdown against its opponents, some of whom have taken up arms. The army, known as the Tatmadaw, has a long history of committing atrocities against civilians.

The junta said in a statement Friday that the vehicles found at the scene had not stopped for inspection as ordered and that some “terrorists” in the group had begun shooting at soldiers, who returned fire.

The statement did not mention the burning of any vehicles or bodies. A spokesman for the military could not be reached for comment Sunday.

The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar said on Twitter that it was “appalled by this barbaric attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children.”

“We will continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people of Burma,” the embassy added, using Myanmar’s former name.

A senior United Nations official called for an immediate “thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.”

Martin Griffiths, the undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and the emergency relief coordinator, said on Twitter that he was “horrified” by reports of the attack. “I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” he said.

The killings took place about 150 miles southeast of Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, near a military-controlled area of Kayah state where the Karenni ethnic group has long sought autonomy from the central government.

For decades, the military has battled intermittently with several armed Karenni groups, one of the many conflicts it has waged against ethnic militias around the country. Since the coup, the fighting in Kayah state has escalated.

Save the Children said that at least 38 people had been killed in the incident Friday morning, which took place near the village of Moso in the Hpruso township, a Christian community. The National Unity Government, a shadow administration formed by elected officials ousted after the coup, put the number of dead at 35 to 40.

According to the unity government, troops were conducting a “clearance operation” in the township, a brutal method that the military has often used to drive residents from an area, including during the 2017 campaign against Rohingya Muslims. It has been widely characterized as ethnic cleansing. In such operations, villagers are often killed indiscriminately and their homes burned.

On Friday, according to the National Unity Government, troops blocked the road outside Moso, trapped residents who were fleeing in cars and tractors, bound them and burned them alive, in what the shadow government called a “Christmas massacre.”

Four members of the junta’s border guard force, who were in the area, tried to intervene and negotiate the release of the villagers, but the soldiers shot and killed them, according to the unity government and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, one of the armed groups operating in Kayah state.

The border guards’ bodies were not among those burned, said Gway Ba Yar, a spokesman for the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, who said that he had gone to the scene and whose photographs have been widely distributed. His pictures show four dead men in border guard uniforms with their hands tied behind their backs.

Ba Nya, a spokesman for the Karenni Human Rights Group, who said that he had also visited the scene, said he believed that several children, including an infant, were among those killed, based on the children’s clothing he said had been strewn on the road.

“This is a brutal war crime committed by the Myanmar military,” Ba Nya said.

The unity government, known as the NUG, has accused the junta of using “extreme terror tactics” against civilians. This month, it said, soldiers burned alive at least 11 people, including five children, in the Sagaing region, an area in northwestern Myanmar where many residents have mounted an armed resistance to the coup.

“As the world celebrates Christmas and its message of peace, the NUG repeats its demands on the international community to act immediately and decisively to end the military junta’s escalating war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Myanmar people,” the group said. 
&nbsp;

An international aid group and opponents of Myanmar’s ruling military have accused soldiers of killing at least 35 villagers who were fleeing combat on Christmas Eve and of then burning their bodies.

An international aid group and opponents of Myanmar’s ruling military have accused soldiers of killing at least 35 villagers who were fleeing combat on Christmas Eve and of then burning their bodies. The aid group said that two of its staff members may have been among those killed. Photographs said to have been taken at the scene, in Kayah state, show the charred remains of bodies in the back of three trucks. According to the aid group, Save the Children, a car that two of its staff members had been using to drive home for the holidays was among a dozen or so charred vehicles at the scene. The staff members are now missing, the group said. “We are horrified at the violence carried out against innocent civilians and our staff, who are dedicated humanitarians, supporting millions of children in need across Myanmar,” Save the Children’s chief executive, Inger Ashing, said in a statement Saturday. The army, which ruled Myanmar for nearly half a century before granting civilian leaders some power a decade ago, seized full control again in a Feb. 1 coup and has since mounted a vicious crackdown against its opponents, some of whom have taken up arms. The army, known as the Tatmadaw, has a long history of committing atrocities against civilians. The junta said in a statement Friday that the vehicles found at the scene had not stopped for inspection as ordered and that some “terrorists” in the group had begun shooting at soldiers, who returned fire. The statement did not mention the burning of any vehicles or bodies. A spokesman for the military could not be reached for comment Sunday. The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar said on Twitter that it was “appalled by this barbaric attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children.” “We will continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people of Burma,” the embassy added, using Myanmar’s former name. A senior United Nations official called for an immediate “thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.” Martin Griffiths, the undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and the emergency relief coordinator, said on Twitter that he was “horrified” by reports of the attack. “I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” he said. The killings took place about 150 miles southeast of Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw, near a military-controlled area of Kayah state where the Karenni ethnic group has long sought autonomy from the central government. For decades, the military has battled intermittently with several armed Karenni groups, one of the many conflicts it has waged against ethnic militias around the country. Since the coup, the fighting in Kayah state has escalated. Save the Children said that at least 38 people had been killed in the incident Friday morning, which took place near the village of Moso in the Hpruso township, a Christian community. The National Unity Government, a shadow administration formed by elected officials ousted after the coup, put the number of dead at 35 to 40. According to the unity government, troops were conducting a “clearance operation” in the township, a brutal method that the military has often used to drive residents from an area, including during the 2017 campaign against Rohingya Muslims. It has been widely characterized as ethnic cleansing. In such operations, villagers are often killed indiscriminately and their homes burned. On Friday, according to the National Unity Government, troops blocked the road outside Moso, trapped residents who were fleeing in cars and tractors, bound them and burned them alive, in what the shadow government called a “Christmas massacre.” Four members of the junta’s border guard force, who were in the area, tried to intervene and negotiate the release of the villagers, but the soldiers shot and killed them, according to the unity government and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, one of the armed groups operating in Kayah state. The border guards’ bodies were not among those burned, said Gway Ba Yar, a spokesman for the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, who said that he had gone to the scene and whose photographs have been widely distributed. His pictures show four dead men in border guard uniforms with their hands tied behind their backs. Ba Nya, a spokesman for the Karenni Human Rights Group, who said that he had also visited the scene, said he believed that several children, including an infant, were among those killed, based on the children’s clothing he said had been strewn on the road. “This is a brutal war crime committed by the Myanmar military,” Ba Nya said. The unity government, known as the NUG, has accused the junta of using “extreme terror tactics” against civilians. This month, it said, soldiers burned alive at least 11 people, including five children, in the Sagaing region, an area in northwestern Myanmar where many residents have mounted an armed resistance to the coup. “As the world celebrates Christmas and its message of peace, the NUG repeats its demands on the international community to act immediately and decisively to end the military junta’s escalating war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Myanmar people,” the group said.

Myanmar’s army is accused of massacring dozens of civilians

Photos of Myanmar's top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Charles Bo, with the country's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing sparked outrage after he was seen cutting a cake with coup leader amid a deadly military crackdown in the country.

Photos of Myanmar's top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Charles Bo, with the country's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing sparked outrage after he was seen cutting a cake with coup leader amid a deadly military crackdown in the country. State-backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that Cardinal Charles Bo met the junta chief on Thursday (December 23) to hear Christmas carols. The meeting was also intended to "talk about peaceful and prosperous affairs" in the country. In one of the photos published by the state media, they can be seen sitting together in front of a Christmas tree. Another photo showed that they were cutting the cake. Meanwhile, in one photo, Min Aung Hlaing was spotted handing over a donation of $11,200. Bo was ordained a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015. ALSO READ | In Maldives Parliament, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina recalls Pakistani atrocities of 1971 The photos have angered the pro-democratic citizens and social media users. People in Myanmar are protesting ever since Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government was ousted by the military junta. In the aftermath, more than 1,300 people have been dead after Junta opposed the protests with a brutal crackdown. Hundreds are injured, thousands arrested if reports by a local monitor are to be believed. There's no certainty over how the prisoners are being treated. After the photos were circulated, some social media users have reacted sharply. One user posted on social media beneath a report on their meeting: "When Christians churches are being burned, even then he [Bo] accepts to meet him [Min Aung Hlaing]." "People shouldn't go and pray where he lives. This doesn't represent Catholic people. Why are you cutting cakes with such a murderer?" another wrote. ALSO READ | Myanmar jade mine landslide: One killed, over 70 feared missing Christmas Greetings on the occasion of the visit of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing; "Christmas is the season of God's reconciling love with human beings"(John 3:16) pic.twitter.com/Z5Cll9q6NB — Cardinal Bo (@cardinal_bo) December 24, 2021 × I wonder how would the people react when you ask them to forgive and love, Ask the people whose homes are burnt, the people whose families are tortured and killed viciously, the people who are now running for life. May the lord have mercy upon you for what you have done. — Naythan🇲🇲 (@NaythanInBurma) December 24, 2021 × Where is the dignity of Jesus? ✝ Mr.Cardinal, are you happy with the killer #MyanmarMilitaryTerrorist ? Do you not think that such conduct would bring disgrace to the Christian Congregation? What is happening in the world? Is the world without humanity and compassion? — Htet (@motokiddies) December 24, 2021 × December is no longer cold in Myanmar. Military Coup [2021 Feb 1] destroyed everything including democracy & human rights. #MyanmarMilitaryTerrorists keep committing #CrimesAgainstHumanity and #WarCrimes.#Dec24Coup #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/01rrjPwBuK — Norah (@NWAYOO221) December 24, 2021 × Political chaos in Myanmar Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government, this year in February. Anti-coup militia have sprung up across the country to fight back against the junta, with some of the bloodiest fighting happening in Christian-majority areas. The United States said in October it was "gravely concerned" about reports that security forces had committed human rights violations and destroyed more than 100 homes as well as churches in majority-Christian Chin state. (With inputs from agencies)

'Cutting cakes with a murderer?': Photos of top Myanmar Catholic with junta chief spark outrage

Speaking at the International security conference in Moscow on Wednesday, visiting Myanmar&nbsp;junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said it is important for the international community to keep shared values and unite for peace and stability.

The Junta leader said, "Multiple pieces of evidence suggest a large-scale interference of foreign countries with some sovereign states' businesses for the sake of democracy and human rights. Nowadays is a good time to reject hegemony and unilateralism."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-leader-thanks-russia-for-boosting-military-393214">Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military</a>

"The international community must have a strong sense of justice, keep shared values and unite for peace, stability and world development, following fair and equal international laws." he added.

Earlier this month&nbsp;Sergei Shoigu, the&nbsp;Russian Defence Minister told Min Aung Hlaing that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with&nbsp;Myanmar.

Due to it's continuing bilateral visits and arms deals with Myanmar, Moscow has been criticised by rights activists for what they call "legitimizing&nbsp;Myanmar's military junta".

The Myanmar junta came to power in a Feb. 1 coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung Suu Kyi, and other members of her party National League for Democracy (NLD).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-leader-thanks-russia-for-boosting-military-393214">Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military</a>

Unperturbed by the criticism the Junta leader was recently seen thanking Russia&nbsp;for strengthening the army.

As reported by&nbsp;Russian news agency TASS, during a recent meeting in Moscow, Min Aung Hlang told the Russian defence minister,&nbsp;"Thanks to Russia, our army has become one of the strongest in the region,".

Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in&nbsp;Myanmar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/very-concerned-over-civilian-casualties-in-myanmar-says-russia-374076">'Very concerned' over civilian casualties in Myanmar, says Russia</a>

Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

Speaking at the International security conference in Moscow on Wednesday, visiting Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said it is important for the international community to keep shared values and unite for peace and stability.

Speaking at the International security conference in Moscow on Wednesday, visiting Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said it is important for the international community to keep shared values and unite for peace and stability. The Junta leader said, "Multiple pieces of evidence suggest a large-scale interference of foreign countries with some sovereign states' businesses for the sake of democracy and human rights. Nowadays is a good time to reject hegemony and unilateralism." Also read | Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military "The international community must have a strong sense of justice, keep shared values and unite for peace, stability and world development, following fair and equal international laws." he added. Earlier this month Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister told Min Aung Hlaing that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with Myanmar. Due to it's continuing bilateral visits and arms deals with Myanmar, Moscow has been criticised by rights activists for what they call "legitimizing Myanmar's military junta". The Myanmar junta came to power in a Feb. 1 coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung Suu Kyi, and other members of her party National League for Democracy (NLD). Also read | Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military Unperturbed by the criticism the Junta leader was recently seen thanking Russia for strengthening the army. As reported by Russian news agency TASS, during a recent meeting in Moscow, Min Aung Hlang told the Russian defence minister, "Thanks to Russia, our army has become one of the strongest in the region,". Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in Myanmar. Also read | 'Very concerned' over civilian casualties in Myanmar, says Russia Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta leader addresses security conference in Moscow

Western powers have imposed sanctions. Neighboring countries have implored the military to restore democracy. More than 200 human rights groups have called for an arms embargo. And last week, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a blunt rebuke aimed at isolating the generals.

The diplomatic pressure has done little to change the situation in Myanmar.

The military dictatorship now ruling the Southeast Asian nation has brushed aside the entreaties and threats, even as the country of 54 million people hurtles toward paralysis and possibly civil war that could destabilise the region. Confident in its impunity after a February 1 coup, the putschists have stretched diplomacy to its limit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-facebook-promotes-violent-content-against-coup-protestors-study-reveals-393387" hreflang="en">Myanmar: Facebook promotes violent content against coup protestors, study reveals</a>

Q: Was this the outcome that had always been foreseen?

A: Not initially. Many people in Myanmar had hoped for intervention by the United Nations or perhaps the United States in the period immediately following the coup, which upended a November election victory by the civilian leadership and escalated into a brutal repression. Pro-democracy protesters carried signs that read "R2P," or "Responsibility to Protect," referring to a 2005 United Nations doctrine affirming the responsibility of nations to protect populations from such egregious crimes.

But diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the 10-nation regional body known as ASEAN, have largely fizzled.

Q: Why does Myanmar’s coup leadership appear so confident?

A: The country, formerly known as Burma, was run by the military for decades after a coup in 1962, and the generals in charge never really embraced the idea of democracy. The constitution they adopted in 2008 paved the way for the election of civilian leaders but ensured the military's complete autonomy and veto power over major constitutional amendments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-leader-thanks-russia-for-boosting-military-393214" hreflang="en">Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military</a>

Thant Myint-U, an American-born Burmese historian and grandson of U Thant, the former UN&nbsp;secretary-general, wrote in a recent edition of Foreign Affairs that the Myanmar army’s need for total power is ingrained.

"It is led by an officer corps that cannot imagine a Myanmar in which the military is not ultimately in control," he wrote.

The coup leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, appears to have secured vitally important allies — China and Russia — insulating Myanmar from any interventionist steps. The general also oversees a powerful patronage network built around two military-owned conglomerates and his family’s businesses. A democratic system could imperil them.

The U.N. Security Council, the 15-member body that is empowered to take coercive action, has issued only mildly worded criticisms since the coup, at least partly reflecting resistance to anything stronger by China and Russia. Chinese diplomats have recently referred to Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s leader. He also was treated well in a visit to Russia this week.

Human rights activists have expressed exasperation at what they view as the Security Council’s failure on Myanmar.

"The council’s occasional statements of concern in the face of the military’s violent repression of largely peaceful protesters is the diplomatic equivalent of shrugging their shoulders and walking away," Louis Charbonneau, the U.N. director at Human Rights Watch, said last month in joining more than 200 other groups in demanding the council impose an arms embargo.

Q: Was the junta damaged by the General Assembly’s rebuke?

A: The General Assembly adopted a resolution denouncing the coup Friday, an exceedingly rare gesture that grew partly out of the Security Council’s inaction, and it was deemed a success by Western diplomats who said Myanmar’s military had now been ostracized.

But the resolution’s language was weakened to ensure more yes votes — and even then, 36 countries abstained. Analysts said the vote was unlikely to persuade the junta to negotiate with its domestic adversaries.

Nonetheless, said Richard Gowan, the U.N. director at the International Crisis Group, the resolution was “at least a clear signal of international disapproval for the coup and will make it harder for the junta to normalize its relations with the outside world.”

Q:&nbsp;What have other Southeast Asian nations done about the coup?

A: ASEAN, which includes Myanmar, has tried to mediate. But its efforts have done more to help Min Aung Hlaing consolidate his authority than to restore democracy.

The military’s takeover compelled ASEAN to convene a meeting in April, to which they invited Min Aung Hlaing.

ASEAN practices noninterference in the internal affairs of members and did not formally recognize the general as Myanmar’s new leader. But his red-carpet arrival for the meeting, held in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, was repeatedly trumpeted by Myanmar’s state-run media as recognition of his leadership.

ASEAN conspicuously did not invite anyone to represent the deposed leadership, which now calls itself the National Unity Government, or anyone else from the pro-democracy movement.

The leaders agreed on what they called a "Five-Point Consensus," including the immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue to find a peaceful solution and ASEAN’s appointment of a special envoy to facilitate mediation.

While member nations Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore pushed for ASEAN to take firm action, strong measures were resisted by Thailand, said Aaron Connelly, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore. (Thailand’s government is headed by a former general who took power in a 2014 coup.)

The consensus made no mention of freeing political prisoners, who now number more than 5,000 and include the country’s elected civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi would normally have attended such a meeting.

ASEAN has yet to name the special envoy. So far, the main outcome of ASEAN’s diplomatic effort has been to damage its own credibility. Myanmar protesters have been burning the ASEAN flag at demonstrations.

Q:&nbsp;What is the National Unity Government and what does it do?

A: The winners of the November election were scheduled to be sworn into office on February 01. But that morning, soldiers swept through the capital city, Naypyitaw, and arrested many of the elected officials. Some who escaped have since formed the National Unity Government, which has declared itself Myanmar’s legitimate government.

Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, who refused to cooperate with the junta, now represents the National Unity Government. While the world body continues to regard him as Myanmar’s ambassador, no country has formally recognized the National Unity Government.

Western powers have imposed sanctions. Neighboring countries have implored the military to restore democracy. More than 200 human rights groups have called for an arms embargo.

Western powers have imposed sanctions. Neighboring countries have implored the military to restore democracy. More than 200 human rights groups have called for an arms embargo. And last week, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a blunt rebuke aimed at isolating the generals. The diplomatic pressure has done little to change the situation in Myanmar. The military dictatorship now ruling the Southeast Asian nation has brushed aside the entreaties and threats, even as the country of 54 million people hurtles toward paralysis and possibly civil war that could destabilise the region. Confident in its impunity after a February 1 coup, the putschists have stretched diplomacy to its limit. Also read | Myanmar: Facebook promotes violent content against coup protestors, study reveals Q: Was this the outcome that had always been foreseen? A: Not initially. Many people in Myanmar had hoped for intervention by the United Nations or perhaps the United States in the period immediately following the coup, which upended a November election victory by the civilian leadership and escalated into a brutal repression. Pro-democracy protesters carried signs that read "R2P," or "Responsibility to Protect," referring to a 2005 United Nations doctrine affirming the responsibility of nations to protect populations from such egregious crimes. But diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the 10-nation regional body known as ASEAN, have largely fizzled. Q: Why does Myanmar’s coup leadership appear so confident? A: The country, formerly known as Burma, was run by the military for decades after a coup in 1962, and the generals in charge never really embraced the idea of democracy. The constitution they adopted in 2008 paved the way for the election of civilian leaders but ensured the military's complete autonomy and veto power over major constitutional amendments. Also read | Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military Thant Myint-U, an American-born Burmese historian and grandson of U Thant, the former UN secretary-general, wrote in a recent edition of Foreign Affairs that the Myanmar army’s need for total power is ingrained. "It is led by an officer corps that cannot imagine a Myanmar in which the military is not ultimately in control," he wrote. The coup leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, appears to have secured vitally important allies — China and Russia — insulating Myanmar from any interventionist steps. The general also oversees a powerful patronage network built around two military-owned conglomerates and his family’s businesses. A democratic system could imperil them. The U.N. Security Council, the 15-member body that is empowered to take coercive action, has issued only mildly worded criticisms since the coup, at least partly reflecting resistance to anything stronger by China and Russia. Chinese diplomats have recently referred to Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s leader. He also was treated well in a visit to Russia this week. Human rights activists have expressed exasperation at what they view as the Security Council’s failure on Myanmar. "The council’s occasional statements of concern in the face of the military’s violent repression of largely peaceful protesters is the diplomatic equivalent of shrugging their shoulders and walking away," Louis Charbonneau, the U.N. director at Human Rights Watch, said last month in joining more than 200 other groups in demanding the council impose an arms embargo. Q: Was the junta damaged by the General Assembly’s rebuke? A: The General Assembly adopted a resolution denouncing the coup Friday, an exceedingly rare gesture that grew partly out of the Security Council’s inaction, and it was deemed a success by Western diplomats who said Myanmar’s military had now been ostracized. But the resolution’s language was weakened to ensure more yes votes — and even then, 36 countries abstained. Analysts said the vote was unlikely to persuade the junta to negotiate with its domestic adversaries. Nonetheless, said Richard Gowan, the U.N. director at the International Crisis Group, the resolution was “at least a clear signal of international disapproval for the coup and will make it harder for the junta to normalize its relations with the outside world.” Q: What have other Southeast Asian nations done about the coup? A: ASEAN, which includes Myanmar, has tried to mediate. But its efforts have done more to help Min Aung Hlaing consolidate his authority than to restore democracy. The military’s takeover compelled ASEAN to convene a meeting in April, to which they invited Min Aung Hlaing. ASEAN practices noninterference in the internal affairs of members and did not formally recognize the general as Myanmar’s new leader. But his red-carpet arrival for the meeting, held in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, was repeatedly trumpeted by Myanmar’s state-run media as recognition of his leadership. ASEAN conspicuously did not invite anyone to represent the deposed leadership, which now calls itself the National Unity Government, or anyone else from the pro-democracy movement. The leaders agreed on what they called a "Five-Point Consensus," including the immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue to find a peaceful solution and ASEAN’s appointment of a special envoy to facilitate mediation. While member nations Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore pushed for ASEAN to take firm action, strong measures were resisted by Thailand, said Aaron Connelly, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore. (Thailand’s government is headed by a former general who took power in a 2014 coup.) The consensus made no mention of freeing political prisoners, who now number more than 5,000 and include the country’s elected civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi would normally have attended such a meeting. ASEAN has yet to name the special envoy. So far, the main outcome of ASEAN’s diplomatic effort has been to damage its own credibility. Myanmar protesters have been burning the ASEAN flag at demonstrations. Q: What is the National Unity Government and what does it do? A: The winners of the November election were scheduled to be sworn into office on February 01. But that morning, soldiers swept through the capital city, Naypyitaw, and arrested many of the elected officials. Some who escaped have since formed the National Unity Government, which has declared itself Myanmar’s legitimate government. Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, who refused to cooperate with the junta, now represents the National Unity Government. While the world body continues to regard him as Myanmar’s ambassador, no country has formally recognized the National Unity Government.

Confident in its impunity, the Myanmar junta ignores diplomacy

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the embassy in UK by Myanmar's junta earlier this month. In an exclusive online interview to WION, he shares the prognosis for the crisis created by the military coup in February.

He said the country will see a civil war and total destruction if negotiations are not held. Pointing out that China is arming both the military and ethnic armed groups, he said Beijing should ask the junta to stop the violence and killing its own people.

The ambassador also expressed support for the newly formed national unity government, saying it should be allowed at the ASEAN summit on the Myanmar crisis on April 24, which is to be attended by the military junta's chief.

Here is the interview:

WION: As we speak, the brutal crackdown against the coup continues. You were unceremoniously ousted from the embassy.&nbsp;&nbsp;What is your current status in the UK?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;UK government allows me to stay here for 31 days (starting&nbsp;8th April) with P&amp;Is&nbsp;(Privileges and immunities). During the 31 days, I need to keep my stuff and prepare for leaving.

WION: Along with the UK, you are also the ambassador to Ireland, Sweden and Denmark. What is currently your diplomatic status in those countries?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;I am sure that the military regime already sent official letters to these countries for eliminating my ambassador status.Till now, I don't see any announcements about me from these foreign ministries. I wish I&nbsp;could be still recognised as ambassador.&nbsp;

WION: You have said that your friends and relatives at home have been forced into hiding fearing reprisals from the military regime. When did you speak to them last, and could you share with us how they are now?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;I don't want to talk about this.The less I talk, the more safe they are.&nbsp;

WION: Since the February 1 coup, more than 3,100 people -- the bulk of them anti-coup protesters and activists -- have been detained. Over 700 people have been killed. How do you plan to continue raising your voice?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;&nbsp;I believe that we have only one peaceful resolution, that is at the negotiation table. As I am a diplomat and an ambassador, I would like to see a peaceful resolution. Stop killing&nbsp;people and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;president etc. Some people&nbsp;don't agree with my way. They would like to fight back military Regime. If fighting keeps going, we will have "Civil War" and total destruction.

WION: The EU, US and Britain have already imposed sanctions on the junta. Do you think that enough is being done to pressurise the regime?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;The military regime has been receiving so many sanctions since 1962. They also have a lot of "strongly condemned" messages from the [United Nations] Security Council. They have learnt many many lessons.I don't think&nbsp;sanction is enough but I believe it is one of the tools for pressurising the regime.

WION: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a political solution for the crisis. But with leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi behind bars and multiple charges slapped on them, do you think a political solution can be found in near future?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;I don't think they (regime) are going to step back. But a political solution could be to stop Myanmar people dying inside.&nbsp;

WION: The Myanmar military says that the elections were fraudulent and hence it detained the political leadership. In your view, what is the real reason for the actions of the junta?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;Well, they would like to purge Daw ASSK from the future of Myanmar political' stage. They have so many reasons and propaganda: 'because she married a British citizen, she is close with Western&nbsp;countries, she is a&nbsp;puppet of UK and USA etc.'

WION: How do you view China's role in the Myanmar crisis, as we have seen many Chinese factories being targeted by angry protesters?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;China has a vital role for Myanmar History.&nbsp;We had fought three wars with the Chinese in our Kings' era. Our country was affected by Chinese Culture Revolution. Chinese troops supported the Myanmar Communist Party.&nbsp; When China's transition from a planned economy to a market economy began at the end of 1978, the Chinese stopped supporting Myanmar communist party. After that, military regime has good relationship with&nbsp;Chinese again.

Chinese used&nbsp;&nbsp;so many vetoes for Myanmar at Security Council and at the same time is selling arms to Myanmar Army as well as to ethnic armed groups, and investing in multi-billion dollar projects including Kyauk&nbsp;Phyu sea port and gas&nbsp;pipeline from&nbsp;Myanmar to Yunnan&nbsp;province. People of Myanmar understand the Chinese and regime are very close and that's why they attacked Chinese infrastructure.&nbsp;

The Myanmar issue is very important for Chinese as well. They need to convince the regime to stop violence and stop killing their own&nbsp;people. Otherwise they will face a lose -lose situation in Myanmar.

WION: Despite the crackdown, the protests show no sign of ebbing. What have sources from the ground back home told you? What is the mood in Myanmar?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;Most of the protesters have no arms. Some created handmade weapons. Even they don't have enough weapons. As you mentioned, there is no sign of ebbing. I always pay my respect for their bravery and salute the&nbsp;people who died&nbsp;&nbsp;for democracy.

WION: Now that the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to attend the ASEAN summit&nbsp;on April 24, do you think the regional grouping can play a role in bringing about a solution to the crisis? Also, do you agree that the newly formed National Unity Government (NUG) should be allowed to attend the summit talks as it had demanded?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;First of all, I would like to say I support NUG.&nbsp;NUG deserves to attend the summit and to be recognised as a legitimate government by a whole world.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the embassy in UK by Myanmar's junta earlier this month. In an exclusive online interview to WION, he shares the prognosis for the crisis created by the military coup in February.

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the embassy in UK by Myanmar's junta earlier this month. In an exclusive online interview to WION, he shares the prognosis for the crisis created by the military coup in February. He said the country will see a civil war and total destruction if negotiations are not held. Pointing out that China is arming both the military and ethnic armed groups, he said Beijing should ask the junta to stop the violence and killing its own people. The ambassador also expressed support for the newly formed national unity government, saying it should be allowed at the ASEAN summit on the Myanmar crisis on April 24, which is to be attended by the military junta's chief. Here is the interview: WION: As we speak, the brutal crackdown against the coup continues. You were unceremoniously ousted from the embassy. What is your current status in the UK? Kyaw Zwar Minn: UK government allows me to stay here for 31 days (starting 8th April) with P&Is (Privileges and immunities). During the 31 days, I need to keep my stuff and prepare for leaving. WION: Along with the UK, you are also the ambassador to Ireland, Sweden and Denmark. What is currently your diplomatic status in those countries? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I am sure that the military regime already sent official letters to these countries for eliminating my ambassador status.Till now, I don't see any announcements about me from these foreign ministries. I wish I could be still recognised as ambassador. WION: You have said that your friends and relatives at home have been forced into hiding fearing reprisals from the military regime. When did you speak to them last, and could you share with us how they are now? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I don't want to talk about this.The less I talk, the more safe they are. WION: Since the February 1 coup, more than 3,100 people -- the bulk of them anti-coup protesters and activists -- have been detained. Over 700 people have been killed. How do you plan to continue raising your voice? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I believe that we have only one peaceful resolution, that is at the negotiation table. As I am a diplomat and an ambassador, I would like to see a peaceful resolution. Stop killing people and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and president etc. Some people don't agree with my way. They would like to fight back military Regime. If fighting keeps going, we will have "Civil War" and total destruction. WION: The EU, US and Britain have already imposed sanctions on the junta. Do you think that enough is being done to pressurise the regime? Kyaw Zwar Minn: The military regime has been receiving so many sanctions since 1962. They also have a lot of "strongly condemned" messages from the [United Nations] Security Council. They have learnt many many lessons.I don't think sanction is enough but I believe it is one of the tools for pressurising the regime. WION: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a political solution for the crisis. But with leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi behind bars and multiple charges slapped on them, do you think a political solution can be found in near future? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I don't think they (regime) are going to step back. But a political solution could be to stop Myanmar people dying inside. WION: The Myanmar military says that the elections were fraudulent and hence it detained the political leadership. In your view, what is the real reason for the actions of the junta? Kyaw Zwar Minn: Well, they would like to purge Daw ASSK from the future of Myanmar political' stage. They have so many reasons and propaganda: 'because she married a British citizen, she is close with Western countries, she is a puppet of UK and USA etc.' WION: How do you view China's role in the Myanmar crisis, as we have seen many Chinese factories being targeted by angry protesters? Kyaw Zwar Minn: China has a vital role for Myanmar History. We had fought three wars with the Chinese in our Kings' era. Our country was affected by Chinese Culture Revolution. Chinese troops supported the Myanmar Communist Party. When China's transition from a planned economy to a market economy began at the end of 1978, the Chinese stopped supporting Myanmar communist party. After that, military regime has good relationship with Chinese again. Chinese used so many vetoes for Myanmar at Security Council and at the same time is selling arms to Myanmar Army as well as to ethnic armed groups, and investing in multi-billion dollar projects including Kyauk Phyu sea port and gas pipeline from Myanmar to Yunnan province. People of Myanmar understand the Chinese and regime are very close and that's why they attacked Chinese infrastructure. The Myanmar issue is very important for Chinese as well. They need to convince the regime to stop violence and stop killing their own people. Otherwise they will face a lose -lose situation in Myanmar. WION: Despite the crackdown, the protests show no sign of ebbing. What have sources from the ground back home told you? What is the mood in Myanmar? Kyaw Zwar Minn: Most of the protesters have no arms. Some created handmade weapons. Even they don't have enough weapons. As you mentioned, there is no sign of ebbing. I always pay my respect for their bravery and salute the people who died for democracy. WION: Now that the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to attend the ASEAN summit on April 24, do you think the regional grouping can play a role in bringing about a solution to the crisis? Also, do you agree that the newly formed National Unity Government (NUG) should be allowed to attend the summit talks as it had demanded? Kyaw Zwar Minn: First of all, I would like to say I support NUG. NUG deserves to attend the summit and to be recognised as a legitimate government by a whole world.

WION Exclusive: Myanmar will have civil war if fighting goes on, warns envoy to UK ousted by junta

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia on April 24. It is his first known foreign trip since he seized power on Feb 1.

Myanmar Coup: Myanmar Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing to attend ASEAN Summit