The Myanmar military has issued a statement, extending the unilateral ceasefire till 31 August in order to aid the peace process, state media reported.

On 21 December, 2018, the Tatmadaw announced its decision to cease all military operations in the Northern Command, North-Eastern Command, Eastern Command, Eastern Central Command, and Triangle Region Command till 30 April, and it had later extended the ceasefire till 30 June, to help implement the peace process, according to the statement.

“It has been found that consecutive peace negotiations could be held during the ceasefire period. Therefore, it is hereby announced that the Tatmadaw will extend its ceasefire period till 31 August in keeping with the expectations of the local ethnic people for peace, and so that all organizations involved in the peace process have the confidence to take it forward, with greater efforts,”