Min Aung Hlaing delivered a “guidance” speech on September 3rd during his regime’s cabinet meeting, warning the public not to return or migrate to areas controlled by ethnic armed organizations and resistance forces. Since then, an excerpt from the speech has been published daily in state-run newspapers in both English and Myanmar, with bold headlines reading “Residents urged to Prioritize Public Safety Amid Armed Terrorist Threats.”
Local news agencies have portrayed this as an open threat to civilians. Let’s break down the key parts of the speech.
The first sentence reads:
“Armed terrorists have been launching attacks by using residential homes and administrative buildings in towns and villages as cover, where they have forcibly settled.”
Min Aung Hlaing refers to ethnic armed organizations and resistance forces as “armed terrorists.” However, both the citizens of Myanmar and the international community have long recognized his own army as a terrorist organization, thanks to the numerous war crimes and human rights violations committed before and after the coup. The groups he’s labeling as terrorists are, in reality, fighting a just war against his army, striving to reclaim what rightfully belongs to them.
The next lines are:
“They aim to shield themselves from Tatmadaw counterattacks while also persuading temporarily displaced persons to return to their native areas and recruiting new members. That enables terrorists to use civilians as human shields.”
Min Aung Hlaing accuses the ethnic armed organizations of using civilians as human shields. But facts speak louder than his words. There is ample evidence—reports and personal accounts—of how many young people have fled the country since the conscription law was enforced. Social media is filled with stories of youths who disappeared on their way back home, and of parents who’ve spent large sums of money to save their loved ones from being forced into labor by the regime’s soldiers. Many families have never seen their members again after conscription. Anyone with basic reasoning can see who’s really committing these crimes against civilians.
Then, the speech uses the phrase “persuading temporarily displaced persons.” When resistance forces liberated certain towns, the residents welcomed them with joy, raising their thumbs in the air. These were not people being forced back into their homes; they were returning to areas freed from the military’s grip.
Humanitarian organizations have long suspected that civilians have been used as human shields by the Myanmar army since the 1960s. As a country suffering the longest-running civil war in Southeast Asia, Myanmar has seen countless war crimes, and the army’s use of civilians as shields is one of them. On the front lines, the army routinely uses civilians as porters, guides, mine sweepers, and decoys, even forcing them to wear military uniforms. They also gather elderly people, women, and children to prevent sudden raids and drone attacks from resistance forces. When cities like Laukkai, Lashio, and Mogok were about to fall to resistance fighters, the army barricaded the entrances, preventing civilians from escaping. This was a deliberate tactic to use them as shields when the resistance forces finally seized control.
The tactic of using civilians as human shields is not only seen on the front lines but also in the army’s strongholds. Even Aung San Suu Kyi, now under house arrest, is not safe from being used in this way. Kim Aris, her son, said in a Reuters interview: “As the fighting’s getting closer and closer to the military strongholds, I think they [the regime] may just want to keep her close to use as a human shield, or they might like to negotiate with the resistance forces on her release.”
The fourth sentence reads:
“Tatmadaw is committed to safeguarding the sovereignty of the State and will respond to these threats based on intelligence and prevailing conditions.”
The idea of “safeguarding the sovereignty of the State” is one of the biggest deceptions used by Myanmar’s juntas over the decades. The regime has endlessly promoted the idea of sovereignty through songs, movies, and propaganda, but the reality is that Myanmar has been under autocratic rule since the 1962 coup. Many ethnic groups have been denied the right to self-determination and have been ruled with an iron fist by successive military regimes. The brief democratic period that followed allowed younger generations to realize that the Myanmar Army itself is the root cause of the country’s struggles. Mentioning “sovereignty” in this context is, therefore, highly ironic.
Min Aung Hlaing’s speech also uses the term “threats.” Since the peaceful protests began in response to the military coup, the army has treated the entire population as a threat. Hundreds of unarmed civilians were gunned down in the streets because they dared to hold banners, wave the three-finger salute, or simply voice their opposition. His army has declared war on the people of Myanmar.
The phrase “based on intelligence” is particularly amusing. At this point, most regions in the country, apart from the military’s strongholds in Naypyitaw, Mandalay, Yangon, and Ayeyarwady, are war zones. With the regime under constant attack from resistance forces, the notion that Myanmar’s army can rely on its “intelligence” for warfare is questionable. If that were true, they wouldn’t have lost key bases, such as their North-Eastern Command and their commando base in Rakhine State.
Finally, Min Aung Hlaing speaks of responding to threats based on “prevailing conditions.” This phrase reveals the desperation of the junta leader. His only remaining advantage is airpower, as most of his ground troops have been wiped out by coordinated resistance attacks. The ongoing major military operation, “Yan Naing Min,” relies heavily on airstrikes. Since its launch, several cities and IDP camps have been bombed mercilessly. From September 5th to 9th alone, over 100 civilians were killed in airstrikes, including a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Despite these atrocities, Min Aung Hlaing’s air force continues bombing civilian areas, often at night to catch people off guard while they sleep. Is this what he means by “prevailing conditions”?
The final sentence reads:
“Therefore, residents in areas where terrorists have taken control must prioritize their safety and protect themselves from being exploited by these groups.”
This is a thinly veiled threat. Min Aung Hlaing is telling civilians that, regardless of the damage caused by indiscriminate airstrikes, his military will keep killing, and civilians must fend for themselves. This is nothing short of a crime against humanity.
What’s coming?
We need to face the truth: while Min Aung Hlaing’s regime is undoubtedly a true terrorist organization, their propaganda is not what makes them dangerous. The danger lies in their ability and willingness to kill. Even though they are losing ground, their airpower still poses a serious threat. Since the coup, they have shown no mercy, and with every warning they issue, the chance for more violence grows.
The resistance forces and the National Unity Government (NUG) must be ready to confront this rising danger. It’s not just about military strategies; it’s also about protecting civilians. The people of Myanmar have faith in these forces, and now is the time for them to show that trust is well-placed. This means building shelters, preparing defenses, and making sure that no more lives are lost. Revolution is about more than just reclaiming land—it’s about the people.
The international community must also step up. This is not just a distant issue; it’s a humanitarian crisis that needs urgent attention. They can’t just sit back and make statements; they need to provide real help with protective measures and aid to lessen the impact of the junta’s bombings. The people of Myanmar have suffered too much, and if the world wants to support their struggle, now is the time to take action.
End Note: Until September 30, Min Aung Hlaing’s words have appeared daily in both Myanmar and English state newspapers, vowing to kill more civilians and bombard cities. He has made it clear—this is a war against the public.
