Junta chief praises Air Force in war against opposition forces

By Admin 16 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 December 2023, Sittwe

In a ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of Air Force Day held at Nay Pyi Taw Air Base on Friday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing praised the branch’s role in his regime’s ongoing war with dozens of different armed groups across the country.

He said that in those operations, Myanmar Air Force (MAF) soldiers used aeroplanes and helicopters with full power and risked their lives to win the battle.

“As MAF, it is proud to see that in cooperation with the Army and Navy forces, the air power is effectively used in the operations, and one army is participating,” the junta boss added.

More than 80 percent of airstrikes by the regime since the coup have targeted civilian villages across the country, according to a report released today by the BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor.

Min Aung Hlaing, who is also Myanmar’s self-appointed prime minister, said that air and space power are very important in modern warfare, and that the MAF has fulfilled its responsibility not only in territorial air enforcement and air defence, but also in counter-insurgency operations throughout the ages.

U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, criticised: “This issue of honouring the Air Force is just a candle that is about to be extinguished for the final act of the coup leader, and this candle will burn out soon and burn them again.”

Junta airstrikes resulted in mass deaths of five or more people in Maungdaw Township of Arakan State, Nyaunglebin Township of Bago Region, Falam and Thantlang Townships of Chin State, Phakant and Waingmaw Townships of Kachin State, Demoso Township of Karenni State, Phapun Township of Kayin State, Laukkai Township of Northern Shan State, Gangaw and Phaungpyin Township of Magway Region, according to the BNI report.

From February 1, 2021, to November 7, 2023, junta airstrikes have killed 566 civilians across the country, according to the BNI report.

“The military conducts airstrikes on residential areas when the Arakan Army (AA) seize police stations. The junta should attack AA targets,” said a local woman in Kyauktaw Township.

According to the BNI report, junta airstrikes have been steadily increasing since the coup.

“Military spending is more than 50 percent of Myanmar’s budget. Now that the regime has loosened its grip on the dollar, the issue of buying weapons and oil needed for the MAF will be a struggle in a short period of time,” U Than Soe Naing said.

Fierce clashes are reported across Myanmar and the military to date has conducted airstrikes during fighting with the AA, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, Chin National Front, Kachin Independence Army and People’s Defence Forces, the armed wing of the parallel administration National Unity Government (NUG).