Burma coup resistance notes August 3-5, 2022
Ethnic regions-------------------
In Kachin State, the Kachin army attacked and overran a junta proxy militia camp on August 2 in Waingmaw township near the state capital Myitkyina. It chased out the pro-junta operatives after killing 10 of them and captured a number of weapons. The camp had operated a roadblock that extorted money from travelers, but the Kachin army removed the roadblock. (Kachin News Group, Salween Press)
In Kawthoolei (Karen nation) Dooplaya District (Myawaddy township on Burmese maps), the junta again attacked southward along the Myawaddy-Waw Lay road Aug. 2. Russian-supplied attack jets dropped bombs at Three-story Bend, and junta troops advanced, and were again repulsed with heavy casualties, according to the Karen army Cobra column, though figures were not available. The Cobras were unharmed. (Cobra Column) After repeatedly suffering terrible losses in that area, junta troops often fall back in total disarray, terrified of the Karen forces.
In Kawthoolei Doo Tha Htoo District (Bilin township on Burmese maps), a junta detachment from Wintapan camp went to distribute salaries to 2 outlying camps on Aug. 2 and was intercepted by the Karen army. At least 12 junta troops were killed and their weapons captured. Other troops from Wintapan declined to leave their camp and go to the rescue of their stricken colleagues. Further west, Karen army and allied PDF forces attacked a junta convoy going from Kyaikto toward Yangon on Aug. 2 Unofficially 9 troops are thought to have been killed and a vehicle was destroyed. The junta was not able to evacuate its wounded. One PDF fighter was killed by mortar fire. (Salween Press) Also, a junta informant in Kyaikto township was killed, and a junta sergeant, wearing civilian clothing out of fear for his safety was assassinated Aug. 3 in Kawthoolei Kler Lwi Htoo District (Kyaukgyi township on Burmese maps).
In Kawthoolei Brigade 4 area (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), a Ye Phyu PDF is reporting a large attack on a junta convoy on July 31. It started with mines that disabled large conststruction vehicles in the front, stopping the convoy and exposing the rest of the convoy to grenades and gunfire. In all, the PDF says about 30 junta troops were killed. They were returning from attacking villages in the township.
In Chin State, the battle to repair the sabotaged bridge on the Hakha-Htantalan road continues; on Aug. 3 Chin defense forces again attacked junta troops trying to bring in construction materials to rebuild the bridge so they can send troops and supplies through that road. Three junta troops were killed this time.
In Mon State, a PDF opened fire in a local junta courthouse in Ye township on Aug. 3, killing 5 junta police. (Khit Thit Media)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
PDFs are trying to more effectively counter the junta's village-destruction terrorism, and on Aug. 4 a PDF coalition counter-attacked 60 troops that were destroying Ratha and Minywa villages in Myinmu township, killing 15 of them. The junta then called in helicopter gunships and strafed and bombed the villages of Inpin-Yadin and Kainkan and then burned them. (Khit Thit Media)
The troops who attacked Letpanjin village by helicopter in Myinmu township on Aug. 1 are leaving a trail of dead civilians. Ten bodies have been found so far, some wearing handcuffs but without heads, with other people still missing and possibly dead. Fourteen villagers were forced to put on military uniforms and act as human shields.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Kalay township of Sagaing Region, a fierce battle took place in the south Aug. 3-4 when allied resistance forces attacked a junta camp at the Kalay University of Technology and continued on into Thaya Kone village. They were able to kill 15 junta troops with an unknown number of wounded. A PDF fighters was killed and 17 wounded. Meanwhile in the northern end of the township, a convoy of 14 vehicles came down from Tamu, and 60 troops got out to de-mine the road before the vehicles passed; 20 of them were killed by blasts. The troops retaliated against the nearby village of Yazajaw, firing mortars at the community and abducting some civilians. (Khit Thit Media)
On the Monywa-Mandalay road, the Myaung township PDF and the TGR Women's Drone Force drone-bombed two different junta convoys Aug. 4, killing a total of approximately 12 troops and an officer. Before that, on Aug. 2, about 20 troops positioned themselves on the road to provide security for the convoys; those troops themselves were drone-bombed, 3 died.
In Tantse township of Sagaing Region, a PDF counter-attacked another junta/Pyu Saw Htee village-destruction gang on Aug. 4 with locally-made mortars as it was attacking Byetgyi village; witnesses said they observed at least 10 bodies of junta operatives being evacuated by cart. The PDF captured some ammunition. (Khit Thit Media)
On Aug. 2 PDFs bombed a junta convoy going from Chaung Oo to Myinmu with 70 troops, then followed up with gunfire. The battle lasted for 3.5 hours, during which 19 troops were killed and others wounded.
In Magway Region, a PDF bombed the junta courthouse in Magway town.
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, there were bomb blasts Aug. 4 at a police station in North Dagon township. There were also blasts in North Okalappa, Insein, and Hlaingthaya townships. One of the pro-junta thugs that attacked the home of pro-democracy martyr Ko Jimmy after he was murdered by the junta on July 23 was assassinated by an urban PDF on Aug. 3. He was identified from viral internet videos. A fight among junta troops in Kayan township of Yangon Region got one of them killed, while another fight among junta police officers left 2 hospitalized; morale is not good within the junta. (Mizzima)
The previous night, Aug. 3, urban PDFs fired 40mm grenades at a police station in Kunchangone township, 2 bombs exploded in North Okalappa township and 2 more in Dagon township.
PDFs fired 80mm, 100mm, and 120mm locally-made mortars at junta troops stationed in Myaing city on Aug. 1, leading to an exchange of mortars. The PDFs couldn't quantify the junta casualties.
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
It is well known that UN aid agencies operating in Burma cannot help refugees in conflict areas without offending the illegal military regime, so they essentially deliver supplies where the junta wants them. Yesterday the junta formally restricted UN agencies from delivering food and medicines to conflict-affected areas – the areas where they are needed. The UN doesn't dare pass aid through cross-border channels and ethnic minority organizations, as that would make the junta angry. (Mizzima)
The Burmese kyat currency continues to plunge, reaching 2700 to the US dollar, compared to 1300 before the coup. Prices of all goods are soaring, while salaries remain stagnant (for those still employed). Since the junta insists on an artificial exchange rate of 1850:1 for imports and exports, overseas trade has basically stopped.