[Today’s Prayer] Myanmar Ethnic Armed Group: “The World Turns Away from the Junta’s Massacre of Civilians… The Only Country Intervening Is China”

Yawd Serk, chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), a prominent ethnic armed organization in Myanmar, strongly condemned the international community for standing by despite the sharp rise in civilian casualties caused by the Myanmar military regime’s indiscriminate airstrikes.

According to Reuters on the 11th (local time), Chairman Yawd Serk, in an exclusive interview held at the RCSS headquarters in Loi Tai Leng near the Thai border, appealed for immediate international intervention, saying, “Civilians are suffering, yet the world is turning away.” The interview took place shortly after the general election conducted in January by the Myanmar military to consolidate its power, and it marked the first time in several years that Yawd Serk had met face-to-face with foreign media.

Chairman Yawd Serk specifically mentioned the scale of civilian casualties resulting from the military’s airstrikes, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. According to the Myanmar Peace Monitor, at least 1,728 civilians have been killed in airstrikes carried out by the military since late 2024. In addition, more than 1,000 civilian residential areas have been bombed over the past 15 months. Analysts say that as the military, which faces rebel forces with no air power, has secured air superiority and carried out indiscriminate bombardments, the advance of pro-democracy forces has been slowed.

He pointed out that amid the international community’s indifference, China is the only country intervening in the Myanmar crisis. Chairman Yawd Serk said, “The only country intervening in Myanmar is China, only China,” expressing concern over China’s influence. Reuters analyzed that China regards the military as a security guarantor to ensure stability for its massive Belt and Road infrastructure projects and has positioned itself as a “mediator,” pressuring rebel groups to halt offensives.

He also raised the level of criticism regarding the general election held by the military in January and Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing. Chairman Yawd Serk sharply stated, “A leader consumed by excessive ego, arrogance, and greed has plunged the country into chaos by placing personal will above the aspirations of the people.” He also dismissed the military’s recent demand that ethnic armed groups abandon armed struggle and participate in peace talks as “an outdated message that no one accepts.”

On this day, Chairman Yawd Serk attended the Shan State National Day military parade and, standing before approximately 1,000 troops, appealed for trust-building and unity among armed groups, saying, “We are in a situation where we cannot rely on anyone.”

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Myanmar has been in a state of civil war for five years since the 2021 military coup that overthrew the democratic government of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The International Crisis Group (ICG) warned that China’s intervention could deepen divisions within Myanmar and cause instability in Shan State, a region crucial to Myanmar’s future.

Source: Nate News

This grace was given me: to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16)

God, we hear the news that Yawd Serk, chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State, a prominent ethnic armed organization in Myanmar, has appealed for immediate international intervention as civilian casualties surge due to the Myanmar military regime’s indiscriminate airstrikes.

Since the coup, as conflict between the Myanmar military regime and ethnic minorities grows ever more severe, thousands of civilians have died and many are suffering economic hardship. Lord, have mercy. Hear the cries of Myanmar’s ethnic minorities who say they have no one to rely on and earnestly plead for help, and save them by Your hand.

In particular, please stop all airstrikes by the Myanmar military, which targets civilians without regard for any means in order to justify and consolidate its power, and halt the conflicts with the rebels. May the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of everlasting peace, be made known.

And to the Chinese government, which is exerting negative influence to gain its own interests by using divisions within Myanmar as a tool, may the Holy Spirit intervene, and may the outcome of all actions be accomplished according to God’s will.

In the midst of this, may the global Church not turn away from the suffering of Myanmar’s ethnic minorities but go forth together in tears, becoming workers of Christ Jesus who proclaim His comfort.

Among Myanmar’s ethnic minorities, who live in death and suffering without knowing the truth, may there be steps taken to proclaim Jesus Christ, who is eternal life. And may the Myanmar church, which continues to keep the faith to the end even under persecution, rise up in unity.

So that now the people of Myanmar may rightfully become priests of God’s gospel, rising as a nation that reveals God’s glory throughout all the nations of the earth and lifts high the sound of praise.