Min Aung Hlaing offers incentives to prop up beleaguered army

By Admin 28 Mar 2024

DMG Newsroom
28 March 2024, Sittwe

In his latest bid to retain soldiers from an army badly hit by a morale crisis and severe casualties, and to persuade draftees to fight for him, Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has offered “just rewards” for individuals deemed to have made sacrifices for the peace and stability of the country.

The military, police and militias must work together to restore stability in areas wracked by armed revolts, the junta boss said in his address at a military parade marking the 79th anniversary of Armed Forces Day on Wednesday in Naypyidaw.

The regime will implement a national conscription law and reserve forces law to restore peace and stability, and law and order, according to the regime leader.

Myanmar’s much-maligned junta has lost large swaths of territory since a major offensive known as Operation 1027 was launched in late October last year.

Clashes in northern Shan, Kachin and Arakan states, and some other areas are undermining the regime’s efforts to establish a Union based on federalism and democracy, said Min Aung Hlaing.

He called the armed revolt against his government an “absurd” act as he blamed resistance forces for the suffering of civilians.

“They have used force though they can approach democratically. This has only undermined the interests of local people and robbed the school-age children of their access to schooling. So, I would say it is a very absurd act,” said Min Aung Hlaing.

Dozens of towns have fallen to resistance forces in Shan State. Meanwhile, the AA has seized Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon and Ramree in Arakan State, and Paletwa in neighbouring Chin State.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) launched an offensive against the regime on March 7. As the regime’s grip on the country at large continues to weaken, ethnic armed groups are installing their own administrations in areas they have seized from the military government.

One Arakanese politician who asked for anonymity said Min Aung Hlaing might not be willing to accept defeat, and would try to recapture some towns his forces have lost.

“What Min Aung Hlaing said suggests that his regime might try to retake the towns it has lost. People must be aware. The regime might carry out attacks, particularly airstrikes,” he said.

The regime has been targeting residential areas in conflict zones with both air and artillery strikes, inflicting significant civilian casualties.