- Junta seeks foothold on strategic island in Kaladan River as Arakan Army counterattacks
- Begging nearly doubles amid livelihood crisis in southern Arakan
- Heavy fighting near junta-held Sittwe fuels fear as frontlines approach city
- Displaced civilians struggle to access healthcare after junta airstrike destroys Ponnagyun clinic
- Kyauktaw market closure disrupts trade and drives up prices across Arakan
Official from ceasefire monitoring body downplays clashes with NCA signatories
Clashes between government forces and ethnic armed group signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) are not of serious concern, the vice chair of the Union-level Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-U) insisted at a committee meeting on July 7.
07 Jul 2020
Min Tun | DMG
7 July, Sittwe
Clashes between government forces and ethnic armed group signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) are not of serious concern, the vice chair of the Union-level Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-U) insisted at a committee meeting on July 7.
“We have to pay special attention to be able to operate the process of the JMC well,” the vice chair, Maj-Gen Saw Isaac Zoe, said at the 19th meeting of the JMC-U in Nay Pyi Taw.
Since the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organisations that signed the NCA have not met for more than a year to hash out outstanding issues and negotiate precise time frames for the ceasefire terms’ implementation, clashes broke out between them, he said.
“Both armed groups failed to meet and negotiate to reach agreement on specific sectors. And there is no watch group to avoid conflicts between them. That’s why both sides blame and object to each other,” he added.
The two-day, 19th meeting of the JMC-U concluded on July 8. Its prior iteration was held nearly two years ago, in September 2018.
Top News
Begging nearly doubles amid livelihood crisis in southern Arakan
By Admin 12 Oct 2026
Heavy fighting near junta-held Sittwe fuels fear as frontlines approach city
By Admin 12 Oct 2026
Four civilians killed in junta shellings in Ayeyarwady Region
By Admin 11 Oct 2026
