Myanmar junta admits shells landed in Thailand, blames KNU for deliberate firing across the border

Mizzima

Myanmar junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun admitted today that artillery rounds fired by its troops during clashes along the Thai–Myanmar border landed inside Thai territory, but immediately alleged that the Karen National Union (KNU) was deliberately firing shells into Thailand to create international tensions.

Speaking at a press conference in Yangon, Zaw Min Tun stated he would not deny Thailand’s claims regarding stray rounds. “Thailand has said that shells fired by our troops, the Myanmar Army, landed inside its territory. Regarding this, I will absolutely not deny it,” he said.

However, he then accused the KNU of instigating the fighting and of firing some of the projectiles itself. “They are doing this because instability along the border strengthens their position and presence in the border areas,” he claimed.