Some Myanmar nationals are being invited to the famed military exercises between the United States and Thailand next year — in spite of the U.S.’s concerns over the country’s policies regarding the Rohingya.
Myanmar was invited by Thailand to watch the humanitarian assistance disaster relief portion of the exercise, according to Reuters.
The next Cobra Gold exercise will take place in 2018. In addition to the United States and Thailand, representatives of a number of national militaries will also take part.
Officials were asked if they considered the Myanmar position on the Rohingya when they thought about inviting the country and they said that they focus on military cooperation and training and that they separated that issue from their decision.
When the Pentagon was asked if the U.S. asked Thailand not to invite their neighboring country due to the crackdown, the American military institution said that they wouldn’t comment on their internal debates.
