Burma coup resistance notes August 25, 2022
When the junta is losing battles on the ground, it responds with airstrikes by Russian-supplied attack jets and helicopter gunships. This week has seen more airstrikes than previously, in three districts of Kawthoolei (Karen nation), in Chin State, Karenni State, Kachin State, and Sagaing Region. Airstrikes are fabulously expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars for each sortie, but have little tactical impact on the ground, since the bombs fall inaccurately and resistance forces can scatter and hide from aircraft in the lush vegetation. The main impact of airstrikes, as of the junta military in general, is on civilians, forcing tens of thousands each time to flee their communities and refugee camps.
Ethnic regions-------------------
Kachin army camps were bombed by four junta jets last night in both Kathah township of northern Sagaing Region and Mohnyin township of Kachin State. The Kachin army and allied PDFs have been pounding junta troops on the ground, inflicting dozens of casualties and stopping their advance in Banmauk and Kathah townships of Sagaing Region. (Kachin News Group)
The Kachin army is also in action today in northern Shan State, where it attacked a junta camp by a dam near Nammatu this morning. Results of the clash aren’t available yet, as it is still ongoing. (Kachin News Group)
In Kawthoolei Dooplaya District (Myawaddy township on Burmese maps), the junta assault on Three-story Bend 2 days ago resulted in 3 of its troops killed and 5 wounded, and one Karen Cobra battalion soldier killed. Another Cobra wounded the previous day died of his injuries also. In Kawthoolei Beit-Tavoy District (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), a PDF in Palaw township blew up and killed 2 junta troops guarding a bridge for a convoy coming down from Dawei. (Khit Thit Media)
In Kawthoolei Taw Oo District (Thandaunggyi township on Burmese maps), the Karen army Brigade 2 has released two junta soldiers it arrested on Aug. 19 near Bogali. The two were traveling by motorcycle, carrying a great quantity of ammunition but no guns, and one had landmine injuries to his hand and eyes that were causing a festering infection. The Karen army concluded that the two pose no threat to the public and released them. (Myanmar Now)
In Arakan State, another battle is brewing in Rathedaung township as Arakan army troops have moved into position around a junta camp that they want evacuated. Residents of nearby villages are fleeing preemptively. (Mizzima)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
In Sagaing Region, after more than 40 junta troops were killed in a battle with PDFs in Kantbalu township two days ago, surviving troops are retaliating against Aung Chanthah village in nearby Kawlin township, burning and destroying the civilian community. Residents of 3 nearby villages have also fled. Helicopter gunships have inflicted serious damage on Waylamu village. (People's Spring)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Paungpyin township of northern Sagaing Region, a PDF attacked a 40-member junta/Pyu Saw Htee terror squad attacking villages over the past 2 days. The first day, 2 Pyu Saw Htee thugs and one PDF soldier were killed. Yesterday the PDF fired a grenade into a building full of Pyu Saw Htee thugs, killing 5 of them.
A junta army member driving his private car from Ayadaw to Monywa hit a civilian woman on the road and drove off. The local PDF gave chase and caught up with the car, and there was an exchange of gunfire. The officer ran away, and the PDF seized his belongings from the car and then burned it. (Khit Thit Media)
The Kalay PDF is conducting an on-line fundraising campaign to expand its drone bombing program and switch from dropping mortar shells to more accurate, specially-designed shells for drones. Details for contributing are here. (Myaelatt Athan)
The National Unity Government is conducting an investigation into the alleged killing of a family in Gangaw township of Magway Region by the Yaw Defense Force PDF, which believed the family to be members of the violent pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia. One of the victims was a 13-year-old girl. Valuables were also stolen. Unlike many PDFs, the Yaw Defense Force does not submit to NUG authority. The NUG is anxious that the rules of ethical warfare be respected and that parts of the resistance movement not degenerate into unregulated free-for-alls. (The Irrawaddy)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon Region, after 6 junta administrators were assassinated 3 days ago in Twante township, junta troops have kidnapped and beaten more than 50 young people in the area. A similar rampage is underway in North Dagon township after regime operatives were fired on yesterday. A bomb exploded at a checkpoint in Hlaingthaya township last night, and another explosion happened in North Dagon township. (Khit Thit Media)
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
The junta is responding to the galloping increases in food prices by imposing fixed prices for rice, cooking oil, and other key commodities. The problem is that there are now shortages of these commodities and price controls don’t work under those conditions. Food gets sold at the official price from official outlets, but then re-sold at sky-high black market prices that reflect both the shortages and the rampant inflation caused by economic mismanagement and the junta’s massive printing of banknotes. Aside from the regime’s violence, spreading hunger is another humanitarian consequence of the junta’s illegal seizure of power. (The Irrawaddy)
The regime has kidnapped a former British ambassador to Burma and her husband, an artist and Burma national. She is most recently the head of an NGO that encourages responsible business practices in Burma. They are being held hostage in the infamous Insein Prison. (The Irrawaddy)