Burma coup resistance notes August 10, 2022
A major battle is underway in Ye Oo township of Sagaing Region today; already 30 or more junta troops have been killed, proven by the capture of 25 or more weapons. Two PDF members also died. The conflict started when the troops invaded Kone Tha and Chaungtha villages in a terrorist attack yesterday (see below), and the Ye Oo and Depayin township PDFs came to their defense this morning. As always when the junta is losing a battle, it called in airstrikes, this time by helicopter, and transport helicopters landed reinforcements.
Ethnic regions-------------------
In Kawthoolei (Karen nation) Brigade 4 area (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), a PDF in Ye Oo township blew up a junta convoy this morning, causing unspecified casualties. The junta then called in airstrikes on two villages, Chaungtha and Kone Tha. The airstrikes didn't harm anyone, but forced residents to flee into the jungle. (The Irrawaddy) A dalan in Thayetchaung township and a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee thug in Launglone township were assassinated yesterday. (Khit Thit Media)
In Kawthoolei Doo Tha Htoo District (Thaton township on Burmese maps), the Karen army seized 9 junta helmets, 7 bullet-proof vests, ammunition, food, and some personal items of junta troops yesterday after a battle there. (Khit Thit Media)
In Karenni State, a special commando team from the NUG Central Division Special Operations Group, which features crack snipers, attacked a junta gang in Hpruso township yesterday and picked off 11 troops. Local Karenni defense forces were also involved. The fight may have continued today. (People's Spring)
In Chin State, a PDF coalition attacked a junta camp today at Tee O Chaung in Hpalam township on the Indian border, killing 5 troops including a battalion commander and wounding others. The officer was a lieutenant colonel, and he was killed by a PDF drone bomb. Junta jets arrived and dropped bombs, wounding some civilians, who were taken to a hospital on the Indian side. (Myanmar Now, Khit Thit Media)
In Kachin State, the Myo Hla PDF blew up a command vehicle of a junta convoy today in Shweku township, killing 3 officers and 3 other troops. They had come to clear the shoreline in preparation for a junta supply flotilla coming up the Irrawaddy River. (Khit Thit Media) Also, an urban guerrilla group bombed junta central admin offices today in downtown Bhamo, causing a large fire. The junta is keeping the remnants of the building evacuated in case of other bombs, and the urban guerrilla group is warning civilians to stay away from junta troops, who are targets. (Khit Thit Media)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
After the Kachin army and allied PDF stormed a junta camp in Seizin village of Hpakant township two days ago and attacked a police station there yesterday, junta aircraft fired firebombs at the civilian village, setting homes on fire. People were able to put the fires out, but then junta reinforcements (including ethnic Shanni proxy militia) came from Sagaing Region and began shooting the villagers, then torched the houses. The full damage isn't known yet, but at least 30 villagers are estimated to be killed by shooting or burning to death. Seizin is mostly populated by ethnic Shanni people. (Mizzima)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
The National Unity Government announced today that some anti-aircraft weapons purchased via the Dragonfly fundraising campaign are already deployed in the field and are being used. The purpose of the campaign is to counteract junta airstrikes. (Mizzima) The announcement doesn't specify where the anti-aircraft weapons are being used, but yesterday the Karen army shot and damaged an attack helicopter in Kler Lwi Htoo District (Kyaukgyi township on Burmese maps).
In Magway Region, junta troops attacked a house yesterday where 6 PDF members were staying in Bithano township and killed all 6, but not before the PDF killed 3 troops including an officer. The PDF ran out of ammunition. (Myanmar Now)
In Mandalay Region, three junta village administrators were shot as they sat together in a tea shop in Maddaya township today. Not all were killed. (People's Spring) The junta has rounded up many urban fighters in Mandalay recently, but there are always more, and attacks against the junta continue.
In Bago Region, a local junta administrator and a dalan were assassinated two nights ago in Nyaung Oo township.
Urban warfare------------------
In Mandalay, urban guerrillas on a motorcycle tossed hand grenades into a sandbag bunker guarding a junta camp in a Buddhist temple in Maha Aung Myay township today. All that is known about casualties is that there were several wounded troops. (People's Spring)
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
Junta soldiers who have defected recently to the Resistance tell of the conditions that motivated their desertion. They say the shortage of troops and the number of battle fronts means the same troops are expected to fight continuously without breaks, and with inadequate food supplies. These conditions, along with an abusive hierarchy, are leading to frustration and a widespread desire among troops to defect. Besides declining troop numbers, the junta suffers from the fatigue and low morale of those remaining. (Mizzima)
Today is Kachin Martyrs Day, honoring Kachin civilian and military heroes who were lost in the decades-long campaign for peace and autonomy from the Burma regime.