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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Myanmar junta offers cash rewards to anti-coup defectors
YANGON: Myanmar's junta said today it is offering cash rewards to fighters willing to desert armed groups defying its rule and "return to the legal fold" ahead of a slated election. The Southeast Asian country has been consumed by civil war since a 2021 coup, with the embattled junta facing an array of pro-democracy guerillas and ethnic armed rebels. After suffering major battlefield reverses, the military has touted elections around the end of the year as a pathway to peace -- plans denounced as a sham by opposition groups and international monitors. State media 'The Global New Light of Myanmar' said today "individuals who returned to the legal fold with arms and ammunition are being offered specific cash rewards". The junta mouthpiece did not specify how much cash it is offering, but said 14 anti-coup fighters had surrendered since it issued a statement pledging to "welcome" defectors two weeks ago. "These individuals chose to abandon the path of armed struggle due to their desire to live peacefully within the framework of the law," the newspaper said. The surrendered fighters included 12 men and two women, it added. Nine were members of ethnic armed groups, while five were from the pro-democracy "People's Defence Forces" – formed after the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected civilian government four years ago. The junta's offer of a gilded olive branch matches a tactic used by its opponents -- who have previously tried to tempt military deserters with cash rewards. The "National Unity Government", a self-proclaimed administration in exile dominated by ousted lawmakers, has called the junta's call for cooperation "a strategy filled with deception aimed at legitimising their power-consolidating sham election".
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Myanmar junta offers cash rewards to anti-coup defectors
YANGON: Myanmar's junta said Friday it is offering cash rewards to fighters willing to desert armed groups defying its rule and "return to the legal fold" ahead of a slated election. The Southeast Asian country has been consumed by civil war since a 2021 coup, with the embattled junta facing an array of pro-democracy guerillas and ethnic armed rebels. After suffering major battlefield reverses, the military has touted elections around the end of the year as a pathway to peace -- plans denounced as a sham by opposition groups and international monitors. State media The Global New Light of Myanmar said Friday "individuals who returned to the legal fold with arms and ammunition are being offered specific cash rewards." The junta mouthpiece did not specify how much cash it is offering, but said 14 anti-coup fighters had surrendered since it issued a statement pledging to "welcome" defectors two weeks ago. "These individuals chose to abandon the path of armed struggle due to their desire to live peacefully within the framework of the law," the newspaper said. The surrendered fighters included 12 men and two women, it added. Nine were members of ethnic armed groups, while five were from the pro-democracy "People's Defence Forces" -- formed after the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected civilian government four years ago. The junta's offer of a gilded olive branch matches a tactic used by its opponents -- who have previously tried to tempt military deserters with cash rewards. The "National Unity Government", a self-proclaimed administration in exile dominated by ousted lawmakers, has called the junta's call for cooperation "a strategy filled with deception aimed at legitimising their power-consolidating sham election."
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Asean navigates crisis, expansion, and power rivalry at Kuala Lumpur meetings
Published on: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 17, 2025 By: Lynelle Tham, Danish Raja Reza Text Size: Asean foreign ministers met for four days in Kuala Lumpur last week to discuss regional issues. Kuala Lumpur: The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and its related sessions wrapped up with Southeast Asian countries projecting cautious unity as they face rising geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and the prolonged Myanmar crisis. Foreign ministers from the 10 Asean countries met with counterparts from major partners, including the US, China and Japan, to discuss key regional issues, including maritime security to trade and political cooperation. Advertisement Here are the key takeaways from the four-day event. Myanmar crisis a high priority Myanmar remained high on the agenda as Asean tried to make further headway on the five-point consensus (5PC), a peace plan agreed in 2021 after the junta seized power in a coup. In a joint statement, the ministers expressed 'deep concern over the escalation of conflicts and the humanitarian situation in Myanmar', and reiterated the 5PC as a core framework for engagement. Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said he planned to visit Naypyidaw in late September or October, where he would present a 'wish list' compiled after consultation with various stakeholders, including the opposition National Unity Government (NUG). 'The majority of them want the release of political prisoners, a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid,' he said at a press conference at the end of the meetings. Mohamad also said that holding elections in Myanmar should not take precedence over meeting the conditions of the 5PC. 'Holding an election just to say, 'Look, we had an election, so we're already a democratic government', is not right,' he said. Timor-Leste's accession still on the cards Despite reported objections from Myanmar's junta, Asean reaffirmed that it would admit Timor-Leste as its 11th member during the October summit. 'We reaffirmed Asean's commitment to an inclusive and sustainable regional community by supporting Timor-Leste's full membership,' it said, citing Dili's active observer role and its willingness to accede to all Asean treaties and agreements. The junta is said to have formally opposed Dili's entry, accusing it of violating Asean's non-interference principle by engaging with the NUG. But Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn dismissed concerns, saying Myanmar and Timor-Leste had been 'sitting down together' and 'sorting out their differences'. Tariffs cast shadow Trade issues took centre stage after US president Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Southeast Asian exports. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned against a growing trend of weaponising trade tools, and called for deeper alignment between Asean's economic and foreign policy arms. US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who was here on his maiden visit, said some Southeast Asian countries could end up with tariffs 'better than those in other parts of the world'. Some countries have already seen results: Vietnam secured a tariff cut from 46% to 20% following direct talks with the US, while Cambodia saw rates drop from 49% to 36%. Mohamad said the meetings provided a platform for Asean countries to raise concerns about the US tariffs through individual bilateral discussions. Although Asean declared in April that it would adopt a unified approach to the tariffs, Mohamad said Washington made its preference clear: 'They don't want to (negotiate) with a bloc. They want to do it (bilaterally)'. Big powers at play The summit also underscored Asean's delicate dance with the world's major powers, as the US, China and Russia all used the Kuala Lumpur platform to reassert influence and test diplomatic ground. Rubio hinted that Trump might attend the Asean Summit in October and confirmed that talks were ongoing for a possible US-Asean summit, proposed by Malaysia. China, the primary target of Trump's tariffs, was represented by foreign minister Wang Yi. While tensions lingered, both sides used the Kuala Lumpur meetings as a platform for quiet diplomacy. Rubio described talks with his Chinese counterpart as 'positive', and offered similar remarks after meeting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Mohamad said Malaysia, as a trading nation, must maintain a careful balance between major powers and avoid taking sides. 'The US is the largest investor in our country, and China has been our biggest trading partner for many years,' he said. 'We have to navigate our foreign policy, and even Asean's, in a way that ensures we're not seen as leaning towards any one side.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
NHK
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NHK
UNHCR: 6.3 mil. in need more than 3 months since Myanmar quake
The United Nations refugee agency says 6.3 million people in Myanmar are still in need of relief measures three-and-a-half months after a massive earthquake. A UNHCR report notes that many people in Sagaing, Mandalay and other areas near the epicenter are forced to live in tents and makeshift shelters during the current rainy season. It says flooding has led to the relocation of some of the sites. The UN agency says mental health and psychological support needs for disaster survivors remain a significant concern. The report also says over 2 million of those affected by the quake had already been internally displaced by a civil war that has raged since a coup four years ago. The military says the quake in late March has left more than 3,700 people dead and over 5,100 injured. The UNHCR is calling for continued international support. In another development, an independent media outlet has reported that the military carried out two airstrikes on a Buddhist temple on Friday. The attack in Sagaing reportedly killed at least 22 people, including children. The National Unity Government, which was formed by the pro-democracy forces, says the victims had been displaced by the conflict and were taking refuge at the temple.
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Libya's unity government, Turkiye strengthen military cooperation with agreement in Ankara
LONDON: Libya and Turkiye signed an agreement on Thursday to enhance the Libyan army's military capabilities through advanced training and logistical support. The National Unity Government based in Tripoli said that Abdulsalam Al-Zoubi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense, visited Ankara to work on strengthening military cooperation between Libya and Turkiye. During his visit, he met Yasar Guler, the Turkish minister of national defense, as well as the undersecretary of the ministry of defense. The agreement outlines cooperation in military fields to enhance the Libyan army's readiness and professionalism. Al-Zoubi said that the cooperation is part of Tripoli's plan to develop the Libyan army, praising the strategic relationship with Ankara. He said cooperation with Turkiye is a key priority for the Ministry of Defense's institutional development program. Turkiye has reaffirmed its commitment to support Tripoli's defense capabilities, highlighting its strategic partnership, the statement added.
