S'pore condemns attack on Asean humanitarian convoy in Myanmar, 2 embassy staff safe
09 May 2023 08:52am
The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since the army's power grab in 2021, and a subsequent crackdown on dissent has sparked fighting across the nation
"Two staff of the Singapore Embassy in Yangon were part of the convoy. They are safe and have returned to Yangon,” said the republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson in a statement issued late Monday (May 8).
The statement was issued in response to media queries on the incident.
"Singapore condemns this attack. It is critical to safeguard the safety of humanitarian and diplomatic personnel, to ensure that they can continue their operations and provide necessary aid to those in need.
"Singapore urges all parties to refrain from violence, in accordance with the Five-Point Consensus. Only constructive dialogue among all key stakeholders in Myanmar can facilitate a peaceful solution in the interests of the people of Myanmar,” said the spokesperson.
Although, it remained unclear when and who attacked the officials, the prime minister of Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government Mahn Win Khaing Than, reportedly blamed the country's powerful military junta for the attack.
"Convoy attack in Shan State blamed on PDF (anti-junta People’s Defense Forces) by Myanmar military is implausible,” he tweeted on Monday.
Shan state, the largest of Myanmar's 14 administrative divisions, according to him is "heavily guarded by military and ERO (Ethnic Revolutionary Organisation) forces." -Bernama
