A setback for peace talks

In a statement released a day after the attack, the United Nationalities Federal Council, a coalition of ethnic armed organisations, openly questioned the government's intention.

Calling it an "intentional" attack and a cowardly act, the council said it was very doubtful that the Myanmar Army truly had its heart in the national peace process currently under way, warning the attack would be a big obstacle to building mutual understanding. It also noted that the attack could be seen as part of a larger political and military conspiracy because it has come at the same time as Union Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann's announcement that constitutional changes would take place after the 2015 general election. 

The organisation also said it would decisively oppose any acts that could mislead or delay the nationwide ceasefire and the national peace process. 

The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) yesterday condemned the army's deliberate shelling of the KIA military academy. 

"Attacking each other should not be happening while we are engaged in a peace process. We urge the government to stop using armed forces against ethnic groups and discuss the problem through political dialogue," the ALP announcement said.

The army's shelling killed 23 cadets at the KIA military academy and left 20 others injured. 

The attack took place just as the Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC) and the National Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), a coalition of 16 ethnic armed groups, planned to stage another round of discussions in Thailand, starting from November 24.

KIA is the military wing of Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), which effectively controls some parts of Kachin state and is a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council. The political group urged the Union Army to withdraw its artillery units and army bases from the Khaya Bon mountain range, which is near the KIO headquarters, in order to remove obstacles to the peace process.

The KIO central committee said the army's attacks on KIO bases without reason have deliberately increased the fighting and ambushing, though the group supports ceasefire negotiations. 

A peace negotiation is now underway to soothe the rift. 

Peace negotiations have been held many times between the Myanmar government and the KIO. The latest was in May when both sides agreed to reduce fighting and build mutual trust. They also founded the Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) to facilitate negotiations.

On November 20, Col Than Aung, the minister of Border Affairs and Security of Kachin State, rushed to explain that the attack was not intentional, saying the KIA troops opened the attack on the army soldiers who were constructing Khatgun Road. He said the army was always attacked first while carrying out the construction works, even after notifying KIA of the works in advance. 

“We fired warning shots at places believed to be their strongholds and heavy weapon unexpectedly hit the academy. It’s not on purpose and we’re sorry about that,” he said.

The minister is now hopeful that the incident would not disrupt to build trust among the army and KIA.