Nang Noung Noung/SHAN — On Tuesday, the junta flew a fighter jet over the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) headquarters in Wan Hai in southern Shan State.
SSPP spokesperson Lt- Col Sai Hsu told SHAN that a Yak-130 flew over its headquarters in Kehsi Township, Loilem District at 11:50am, which he described as a provocation. He said the armed group was not informed before the aircraft made two overflights, the first at 500 metres and the second at 300 metres.
“We called Naypyidaw immediately, but they did not reply.”
SSPP officials also complained to the National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) set up by the military regime, but they ignored them too.
“They should respect the peace process in which we are involved. A fighter jet flying over our headquarters means a threat to us. This can affect the mutual trust between the SSPP and the regime. It shows that they do not really want to restore peace in the country. If our soldiers shoot down the fighter plane, they will suffer because of it,” Sai Hsu said.
He warned that if it happens again and his soldiers shoot it down, do not blame them.
In 2021, when an attack helicopter repeatedly flew over Wan Hai, the SSPP shot at it, wounding the pilot. After the incident, representatives of the Shan armed group met with coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and the NSPNC to discuss the so-called peace process in the capital. Last year, the SSPP had attended two such meetings in Naypyidaw.
