By Ra Wai / MPA
On September 5, the National Unity Government (NUG) declared the military council as the enemy of the nation and its people.
NUG states that the terrorist military group operating under the name of the State Administration Council has not only committed treason and betrayed the nation and its people but also continues to conduct daily war crimes: indiscriminate targeting and killing of civilians in cities, villages, and refugee camps using various weapons, as well as bombing and airstrikes. The statement also highlighted that these severe crimes blatantly violate international humanitarian law and human rights laws, and the perpetrators must be held accountable and punished by international courts and tribunals.
“NUG’s move means diplomatic warfare. It hasn’t been long since the junta labeled the Three Brotherhood Alliance as terrorist organizations, and this is NUG’s counter-response. Since the junta is an illegitimate group committing the coup and various war crimes, it has no authority to designate anyone as a terrorist. Although this response has no immediate practical effect, it is necessary in diplomatic warfare,” a political analyst based in Yangon told MPA regarding the statement.
The statement further outlined that the military junta is preparing to forcibly conscript youths aged 18 to 35, as well as elders aged 35 to 65, to use them as human shields in the conflict. It also declares that the junta is working towards the complete destruction of Myanmar and a group that endangers national security and defense.
NUG has called on the member states of the United Nations and neighboring countries, including ASEAN member states, to take strong and effective action against the terrorist military group operating under the name of the State Administration Council, for the sake of peace and stability in Myanmar.
Additionally, NUG declared that all organizations and individuals collaborating with the junta’s defense and security mechanisms will be considered complicit in criminal acts, urging the whole populace to resist the junta’s orders and instructions in various ways.
On September 2, the junta’s Central Committee for Counter-Terrorism designated the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Arakha Army (AA) as terrorist organizations.
