On 26 August 1964, a congress of 55 moderate Montagnards, representing ethnic minorities, met in Pleiku, Vietnam.

The rebels controlled Highway 14, attacked Srépok post, then advanced to Buôn Ma Thuột, occupied the VTVN radio station, and called on the Montagnards to rise up against the Kinh to build an independent nation.

On 20 September 1964, General Nguyễn Phước Vĩnh Lộc, commander of Tactical Zone II, declared martial law in Buôn Ma Thuột, the 23rd Division, along with several commando and armored battalions, were mobilized to retake the radio station and other rebel-occupied outposts.

When the rebel forces were about to be completely destroyed, the US embassy suddenly advised Vĩnh Lộc to negotiate.

[1] Y Bhăm Êñuôl á representative of the moderate faction of FLHP, was invited to negotiate with the rebels.