Myanmar rejects EU concerns
Myanmar’s ruling junta dismissed European Union concerns about military operations against Karen rebels as a political meddling even though thousand’s of ethnic minorities have fled the country to escape the fierce fighting. Counter insurgency operations in eastern Myanmar have forced more than 4000 ethnic Karen to abandon their villages and flee into neighbouring Thailand.
The European Union (EU) has expressed “serious concern” over the mounting offensive launched by the Junta in the military ruled nation and exodus of refugees and has called for an immediate truce.
In response to the EU declaration, the Myanmar foreign ministry has deplored that the declaration was politically motivated with an aim to exerting political pressure on Myanmar.
The military ruled government state that the recent scuffles that took place in the eastern border of the country were ignited by the Kayin National Union (KNU), who were attempting to prevent the remaining KNU members of the Saw Nay Soe Mya’s group from returning to the mainstream life.
According to the Junta, 17 out of 18 anti government armed groups have returned to the legal fold and only one group KNU remains out of the legal fold. It further stated that the people fleeing to Thailand were all rebels and their families and not ordinary civilians.
Myanmar’s regime justifies its grip on power by claiming the country needs to fend of ethnic rebellions which have plagued Myanmar for decades. The KNU is one of the last groups to fight the government.