China Assists Myanmar Rebel Group To Seek Peace Talks With Military After Year-Long Battle

Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic minority militia and part of a larger rebel alliance in Myanmar, has expressed its willingness to hold peace talks with the ruling military junta. This announcement comes after a year-long battle in the northern Shan state along Myanmar’s border with China, where the group has been engaged in heavy fighting against the military.

The TNLA, which is part of the alliance behind the “Operation 1027” offensive that has caused significant losses for Myanmar’s military, stated on Monday that it seeks to halt the air strikes in its region and is open to discussions to find a peaceful resolution. The group’s spokesperson, Lway Yay Oo, emphasized that civilians in the area were suffering due to ongoing strikes, and a peaceful solution was needed to end their hardship.

This call for dialogue comes amid increasing pressure from Myanmar’s powerful neighbor, China, which has historically supported Myanmar’s military regime. Beijing’s diplomatic efforts have been focused on stabilizing Myanmar, which has descended into turmoil since the military coup of 2021. The coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to widespread protests and a growing armed resistance.

In January, the TNLA and the junta reached a temporary ceasefire after China mediated talks, but this agreement collapsed by June, and fighting resumed. As of now, it remains unclear whether the junta, which has made no public comment on the TNLA’s proposal, is open to negotiations. The Myanmar parallel administration, the National Unity Government (NUG), however, urged China to consider the desires of Myanmar’s people in its diplomatic efforts, warning against actions that could undermine the nation’s democratic aspirations.

The TNLA’s announcement signals a shift in tactics as it seeks to end the ongoing conflict and mitigate the suffering of civilians in the war-torn region.