ASEAN foreign ministers strongly condemn ongoing airstrikes, shelling in Myanmar

Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday reiterated condemnation of theongoing violence in Myanmar, as an intensifying conflict there tests the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Myanmar, one of the bloc's 10 members, has been beset by fighting since the military seized power in early 2021 before unleashing a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy opponents, prompting retaliatory attacks by a resistance movement and ethnic minority armies.

"We strongly condemnedthe continued acts of violence, including air strikes, artillery shelling, and destruction of public facilities,"ASEAN's top diplomats said in a joint communique released late on Thursday after an unexplained delay.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

ALSO READ |Crisis in Myanmar dominates talks at ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting

Meeting chair Indonesia had on Wednesday urged the group's foreign ministers to remain united in tackling the escalating violence in Myanmar.

Myanmar's military leaders have refused to implement a five-point peace plan, which calls for a halt to violence and inclusive dialogue and was agreed shortly after they mounted their coup, and Malaysia had called for stronger condemnation.

The ministers also "urged all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue."

The ministerssaid they discussed the South China Sea, where several members have overlapping maritime claims with China, the region's increasingly powerful neighbour.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi attendedASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta this week and also held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

WATCH |ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet: Myanmar, South China Sea dispute to dominate talks

Without naming China,ASEANforeign ministers said, "Concerns were expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk."

Rifts withinASEANover Myanmar were highlighted when Thailand invited Myanmar military officials to a meeting last month aimed at "re-engaging" with the junta.

Junta officials have been barred from high-levelASEANmeetings due to the lack of progress on the five-point plan.

MostASEANmembers shunned the meeting, which Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended, saying his country was suffering in terms of its border, trade and refugee problems.

Pramudwinai said on Wednesday that he had recently met Myanmar's jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the first foreign official to be granted access to the Nobel laureate since her detention by the military more than two years ago.

TheASEANministers said they were "briefed by Thailand on its recent activities on Myanmar, which a number ofASEANMember States viewed as a positive development."

Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, made up of loyalists to Suu Kyi's ousted administration, has discouragedASEANfrom engaging with the junta unless it releases all political prisoners.

You cannow write forwionews.comand be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with ushere.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE