00:00The head of one of Myanmar's influential ethnic armies has accused global leaders of ignoring a surge in deadly junta
00:08airstrikes on civilians,
00:10and said that only China is intervening in the conflict.
00:13In a rare interview at his mountaintop base, General Yod-seq, Chair of the Restoration Council of Shan State, or
00:21RCSS,
00:22said the world had failed to stop the turmoil as the military steps up bombing campaigns across the country.
00:30His group controls strategic territory between China and Thailand.
00:33Speaking to Reuters after a military parade for Shan National Day in Lhoy Thailang,
00:39he urged Myanmar's array of armed factions to unite, and said political dialogue with the military was still needed to
00:45end the war.
00:46Air attacks have killed at least 1,728 civilians since late 2024, according to data compiled by Myanmar Peace Monitor,
00:56which tracks the conflict, slowing the advance of pro-democracy forces that lack an air force.
01:02The junta, however, says it is targeting terrorists.
01:06Myanmar has been in crisis since the 2021 coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's government,
01:11the first democratic administration in half a century, and triggered nationwide conflict.
01:17Myanmar's military-backed union solidarity and development party claimed victory in January,
01:21after elections held in limited areas, a vote widely criticised as designed to entrench military power.
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