Burma coup resistance notes August 29-31, 2022
Ethnic regions-------------------
The Karen army captured yet another junta camp yesterday morning, at Thansate in Kler Lwi Htoo District (Shwegyin township on Burmese maps). Casualty numbers aren’t in, but the junta troops and police in the camp who weren’t killed or captured fled. As they did so they shot civilians, wounding two children ages 10 and 3. Karen army Brigade 3 captured a quantity of weapons and ammunition. After losing the camp, junta forces regrouped and counter-attacked, but the result isn’t known. The Kawthoolei government (KNU) announced that it is taking over administration of that area from now. (Khit Thit Media)
Above: Two Karen children, ages 3 and 10, were wounded by junta fire yesterday after the Karen army overran a junta camp in Kler Lwi Htoo District and sent the junta troops fleeing. (Khit Thit Media)
In Kawthoolei (Karen nation) Doo Tha Htoo District (Kyaikto township on Burmese maps), a roadside bomb attack by the Karen army on a junta convoy at Ingabo on Aug. 28 killed 17 from the junta side. In Kawthoolei Beit-Tavoy District (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), a local PDF in Launglone township bombed a 3-vehicle junta convoy on Aug. 29; the number of dead and wounded isn’t known, but several ambulances rushed junta troops to a Dawei hospital. Further south near Kawthawng, a PDF blew up 2 junta vehicles on Aug. 28, killing 2 troops and seriously wounding 5 others.
The Karen army Brigade 5 opened fire on a junta occupation camp in Dwelo township, Mutraw District (Hpapun on Burmese maps) and on junta occupiers in Papun town on Aug. 28, killing 1 junta soldier each time. The same day, Karen troops machine-gunned a junta helicopter attempting to deliver supplies to its Mei Wai camp, since Karen forces have cut off all road access and stranded the camp. In Dooplaya District (Myawaddy township on Burmese maps), the Karen army drone-bombed a junta encampment at Kyauk Wa Pagoda near the scene of a month-long battle at Three-story Bend on Aug. 28, killing 2 soldiers including a sergeant and wounding 5 others, including 2 other officers. (Khit Thit Media)
In Arakan State, the Arakan army intercepted a junta supply column in Rathidaung township yesterday, leading to a battle. The junta brought mortars and helicopters as support. The outcome of the battle isn’t yet clear. The AA has also been fighting the junta for a week now in Maungdaw township. (People's Spring)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
A junta terror squad burned and destroyed Taungjah village in Sagaing township on Aug. 29. PDF soldiers attempted a defense, killing 2 junta troops, but a PDF fighter died also. Some junta troops were also wounded by landmines placed by the PDF ahead of the invasion.
In Kyunhla township of northern Sagaing Region, 8 bodies of civilians have been found in Deypinsate village since it was burned by junta terror troops on Aug. 28. Some were burned, others thrown in the river. Some civilians have been kidnapped as human shields. (People's Spring)
On Aug. 28 and 29 another junta terror squad burned down Thayetpin, Ohnpinsate, and East and West Wadan villages in Kani township, Sagaing Region, destroying 4 schools and a district hospital along with the residences. A large amount of medical equipment was destroyed that was being used to provide health care to local refugees. Before torching the houses, junta troops ransacked them and stole food. Then they kidnapped 20 civilians to use as human shields. After the attack on Aug. 29, a PDF laid a roadside bomb trap and blew up several vehicles, killing or wounding 30 junta troops.
In Gangaw township of Magway Region, 50 junta/Pyu Saw Htee terrorists invaded Taungmyont village on Aug. 29 along with 5 nearby villages, burning hundreds of homes. PDF soldiers helped people to escape, but one was shot and killed by the junta operatives. Meanwhile, PDF forces killed 3 plain clothes junta troops who were patrolling in front of the junta electric company office at Myittha Dam on Aug. 29.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, a PDF attacked a junta operatives crossing the Chindwin River to Mawkkataw in Minkin township on the west bank on Aug. 29, killing 6, including a police commander and a Pyu Saw Htee terror leader. The junta was trying to clear PDFs from the river banks ahead of the passage of junta supply boats. In Myinmu township, a PDF alliance blew up a junta patrol on Aug. 29, killing 2 troops and destroying the vehicle.
In Htee Chaing township, a large group of PDFs overwhelmed a junta column that was retreating from Indaw township, blocking the road and opening fire on them on Aug. 28 The PDF says 15 troops died in that ambush, after which the survivors broke and fled into Kanpauk village, where it was surrounded by the PDFs on Aug. 29. Two attack jets then came to support the besieged junta troops, dropping 16 bombs and obliging the PDFs to lift the siege. The troops then retreated to Htee Chaing main town, but 3 more were killed by PDFs along the way.
In Magway Region today a PDF in Yesagyo town ambushed 5 armed junta operatives including a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist leader as they patrolled a market, leaving no survivors. The PDF captured several weapons, grenades, and some ammunition. The fact that this took place in a main town is another example of resistance power reaching closer and closer to the junta’s strongholds. (Khit Thit Media)
In Mandalay Region, a PDF in Mogok threw a grenade into a vehicle carrying 7 junta troops yesterday, killing them, including a captain.
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, an urban PDF shot at the car of a junta judge working at the infamous Insein prison yesterday, where political activists are given long sentences and four protest leaders were murdered by hanging in July. The same day a junta vehicle was blown up in South Dagon township, wounding 2 troops. A junta administrator and 4 colleagues were assassinated in their office in Dala township today. Bombings have happened in Mayangone, North and South Okalappa, North Dagon, and other Yangon townships.
In Mandalay, a junta administrator and 30 hired thugs who tried to bulldoze local homes yesterday were attacked by residents, forcing them to flee. The heavy equipment was burned by the locals. The junta then sent armed troops and destroyed the homes. (People's Spring)
In downtown Monywa, capital of Sagaing Region, a PDF shot up a junta guard bunker in front of a regime-owned bank yesterday, and claims 3 killed, though the casualties are hard to tell in the video provided. Meanwhile, junta vehicles are responsible for a growing number of civilian traffic deaths as they race through the streets attempting to escape bombings. Motorcyclists in particular get killed by speeding junta vehicles, and the families aren’t allowed to bring a complaint or receive damages; in fact bodies are often not returned.
In the military capital Naypyitaw, a PDF placed a bomb at a government office on Aug. 29, but it failed to explode. That a PDF is operating so close to the junta’s central power base is significant.
Politics & Economy-------------------
The Burma kyat currency today sank to 4,400 to the US dollar, after a record-breaking 3,400:1 a week ago. It sank 300 just today. The military junta now officially has the Burmese economy in a free fall, and the resulting poverty is rapidly overtaking what was the middle class. (Khit Thit Media)
The Australian government is providing technical support to the junta police. An anti-drug trafficking program that started before the coup is still being funded by Australia, thus strengthening the junta rather than the opposition.