Myanmar rebels attack China’s fuel pipeline to protest against Chinese support to Junta Regime

Mandalay: – The local rebels opposing the Junta regime attacked China’s oil and gas pipelines in the Mandalay region of Myanmar. The pipeline suffered major damages in the attack. After that, the Myanmar army arrested 24 people in action carried out in the Na Nwin Taw Bo region. It has been the third attack on Chinese interests in Myanmar in the last two months. Moreover, China supports the junta regime, which overthrew the elected government and acquired rule a year ago. The local rebels infuriated with this have started attacking Chinese interests in the country.

Last week, the rebel organisation, People’s Defence Force, opposing the Junta regime, launched rifle grenade attacks on the oil and gas pipelines in the Mandalay region. The rebels also targeted the Myanmar army units deployed for the security of the pipelines. Although it caused no major damage to the pipelines, the local media claimed this attack has a geopolitical edge. As per the media, the anti-China sentiment growing in the people of Myanmar is expressed through this attack. China has built these two fuel pipelines passing through the Mandalay region. The pipeline that starts in the Rakhine region at the Myanmar coast and spreads over hundreds of kilometres reaches the Yunnan province in China. China has connected these fuel pipelines through Myanmar to reduce dependence on the fuel tankers sailing through the Strait of Malacca. Therefore, these fuel and gas pipelines are considered critical, claims media.

These attacks on the fuel pipelines have increased in various regions of Myanmar. The Junta regime overthrew the elected Aung San Suu Kyi government in February last year. Various armed rebel organisations opposed to the Junta regime are behind the attacks. These organisations accuse China is supporting the Junta regime, which overthrew the democratic government in the country. Therefore, these organisations target the fuel and gas pipelines to target China.

The Junta regime, which intends to finish democracy in Myanmar to establish its rule, faces bitter opposition from the population. Pro-democracy activists, rebel organisations and Myanmar leaders fight tooth and nail against the Junta regime. The argument offered by the rebels and the pro-democracy activists in China will not stop interfering in Myanmar unless a major jolt is delivered to the Chinese interests in the country. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to attack the Chinese projects. China has started feeling the heat and the Junta regime, known to use inhuman force, has not been able to stop the attacks.