Friday saw the Myanmar junta begin to host talks with a limited number of ethnic armed organizations (EAO) in Nay Pyi Taw as part of what the junta described as peace overtures, reports AP.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had the first in a month-long series of person-to-person peace talks he has initiated with the country’s historically restive ethnic minority groups, the state media reported.

The junta leader held discussions with Yawd Serk, chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State and Shan State Army, the political body and its military wing representing the Shan minority from eastern Myanmar, state-run MRTV television reported.

The junta has been attempting to make a fuss about their olive-branch outreach, despite the reality on the ground in many areas of Myanmar – particularly the ethnic states and Chin state and Sagaing region – where its troops have been battling People’s Defence Forces and driving civilians out of their villages. Many villages have been burnt down since the junta grabbed power in a coup in February 2021.

Myanmar has 21 ethnic armed organizations, 10 of which accepted the invitation to the peace talks, the military council’s spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Zaw Min Tun, said at a news conference, reports AP.