Burma coup resistance notes August 12, 2022
Ethnic regions-------------------
Update on the Chin attack on the junta border camp at Rikodar 2 days ago on Aug. 10: In addition to 4 soldiers killed and a lieutenant colonel from the junta, four troops were captured alive. The PDFs dropped more than 25 drone bombs, which is how the officer was killed. After the attack the remaining troops abandoned the camp. (The Irrawaddy)
In Mon State, a 6-vehicle junta convoy moving in Ye township today was blown up by a Mon PDF, killing 4 of the troops on board. (Mizzima)
In Kawthoolei (Karen nation) Doo Tha Htoo District (Thaton township on Burmese maps), a junta officer defected with full weapons to the Karen army on August 7, and has now reached safety in a Karen-controlled area. (Salween Press)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
There is news of a junta attack on Ngatayaw village, Yesagyo township, Magway Region on Aug. 10, in which seven PDFs opposed the invasion by 70 junta troops, killing 2 of them. The PDFs had to withdraw, however, and the troops burned houses and motorcycles and shot the people's livestock. (Myaelatt Athan)
The same day, other troops attacke Shasaychet and Yeyun villages in Pauk township of Magway Region, murdering a resident and kidnapping 10 others, then burning the villages down.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
PDF military engineers working in an undisclosed location announce that they have perfected a six-tube rocket launcher that has a range of 1200 meters, and can fire 6 rockets at once or individually. A video shows the manufacturing process and also a test firing. This rocket system will be deployed and PDFs will received training in its use. (Mizzima)
This morning, 120 junta troops who had camped in a village in Ye Oo township and were moving on to attack another were ambushed by PDFs. Seven died when they blundered into a minefield, and 3 others were shot dead in a PDF fusillade. (People's Spring)
In Myaung township, also in Sagaing Region, local PDFs attacked a 13-vehicle junta convoy this morning, first with roadside bombs, then with Mytel cannons (made from sabotaged towers of the junta-owned Mytel mobile phone network). Three of the trucks were hit; casualties aren't known yet. (Khit Thit Media)
In Myinmu township, PDFs attacked another junta convoy this morning, disabling a truck full of troops. Casualties aren't known. The truck had to be towed away by other trucks. (Myaelatt Athan)
In Banmauk, a junta major was killed in a PDF attack today in the township administration office. (People's Spring)
In Bago Region, a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee leader and his wife were assassinated yesterday in Tharawaddy district. Also, a civilian man abducted by junta police on Aug. 10 was tortured to death overnight in the police station. (Myaelatt Athan)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, 2 ward admin offices of the junta were bombed last night in Shwepyitha township, injuring 4 people including the two ward chiefs. A local firefighter chief who helped the junta identify and round up urban guerrilla fighters was assassinated today in Insein township. (Khit Thit Media)
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
Malaysian foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah says ASEAN should support Burma's people and engage with the National Unity Government and other opposition groups. (The Irrawaddy)
Chiang Mai University, the leading academic institution of northern Thailand, has entered into a collaborative arrangement with the Burma National Unity Government's Spring University, a largely on-line institution serving students boycotting junta-controlled universities and those who have had to flee to liberated areas. CMU will provide academic and administrative support to the NUG's students to continue their degrees until the illegal military regime is defeated. (The Irrawaddy)
The junta is planning to borrow money from India to buy Brahmos missiles manufactured jointly in India and Russia. These missiles can be fired from aircraft or navy ships. (Khit Thit Media) These weapons have no application against guerrilla fighters and are made for conventional warfare, but the Burma army has a history of buying expensive weapons systems from abroad, where the purchases pass through crony companies and funnel millions of dollars into the private pockets of the generals and their families. A question is why India would loan money to a bankrupt regime that is losing its grip on the country.
Also regarding India, the Indian government is reportedly colluding with the Burma junta to send back people who have crossed the border into India to escape persecution and regime violence, according to a leaked diplomatic letter. (Khit Thit Media)