The National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) meeting (3/2023) was held on November 8 at the meeting hall of the Chairman's Office of the State Administration Council (SAC) in Nay Pyi Taw.

Acting President U Myint Swe, Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defense General Tin Aung San, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naung, specially invited Secretary of the State Administration Council Lieutenant General Aung Lin Dway, Joint Secretary Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo and Kokang Autonomous Region Chairman U Myint Swe attended the meeting.

At the meeting, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services explained the current situation in northern Shan State with historical information.

Then, Vice President U Henry Van Thio and Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat discussed issues related to the national stability, rule of law and provision of humanitarian aid to people fleeing the war.

After that, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win explained about the situation of the fighting in northern Shan State and the situation in which it is working to restore peace and stability in the area.

In relation to the presentations, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services said that the beginning of the problems occurring in northern Shan State today is the drug problem. Therefore, the eradication of drugs, which is the source of the problem, must be carried out effectively. In order to do so, the capacity of the police must be increased for stability and law and order. Coordination is being carried out to bring the civil servants and people fleeing from Chinshwehaw area back and that China-Myanmar bilateral relations are being emphasized. The necessary security activities will be carried out by the Tatmadaw for the protection of the rule of law and the lives of the people regional stability and peace, he said.

After that, Acting President U Myint Swe said that if the Tatmadaw does not take such strong action regarding the current issue in the border region, the country may be divided into parts. This issue needs to be handled carefully and systematically. As it is an important time for the country, the whole country needs to support the Tatmadaw. The meeting was adjourned after stating that the Tatmadaw has been able to perform its life-saving duty and protect the state, so there is stability to a certain extent.