Starting to struggle against militias, Myanmar Junta asks Russia for help

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CNN Indonesia

Wednesday, 24 Apr 2024 12:33 IWST

The atmosphere on the Myanmar border tightened after clashes broke out with militias. Photo: AFP/MANAN VATSYAYANA

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Military junta Myanmar getting “closer” to it Russia amidst attacks by armed groups which have recently become more intense.

The junta’s national security adviser, Admiral Moe Aung, on Sunday (21/4) reportedly left for St Petersburg, Russia, to attend the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives on Security Issues and related meetings from April 23-26.

The meeting took place at a time when Myanmar’s armed groups have recently stepped up attacks on the military junta.

The Myanmar junta reportedly “caught up”, especially in attacks over the last three days by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and ethnic armed organizations (EAO) in the states of Karen and Shan as well as the Sagaing and Mandalay regions.

With this meeting on the agenda, a number of parties believe that the junta is approaching Russia to ask for help from the Kremlin against the militias.

Since the 2021 coup, relations between the Myanmar junta and Russia have developed beyond arms trade and military training. The two regimes now collaborate closely in almost all sectors.

One form of the close relationship between the two countries was when Russia awarded awards to a number of junta figures, one of which was Moe Aung.

Moe Aung along with deputy junta chief Soe Win, and chief of general staff Maung Maung Aye received an international military cooperation award from the Russian Ministry of Defense on March 28.

A number of Myanmar military delegations also attended the 2nd Russian-Myanmar Joint Anti-Terrorist Committee meeting in Russia before the Thingyan Water Festival took place. Representatives of the two countries discussed increasing technological cooperation as well as matters related to security and military training, according to junta media.

As Myanmar celebrated the New Year Festival, the junta delegation also visited the National Defense Management Center, the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Military University of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing also awarded honorary degrees to 27 Russian military officials last March.

The Russian Defense Ministry also showered medals on junta leaders Min Aung Hlaing, Soe Win, Maung Maung Aye, State Administration Council joint secretary and military intelligence chief Ye Win Oo, transport ministers Mya Tun Oo, Moe Aung, and air force chief Tun Aung .

Many other meetings were also held between high-ranking officials to discuss cooperation in the fields of trade, direct flights, agriculture, textiles, oil and gas.

(blq/dna)

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