Burma coup resistance notes August 11, 2022
Ethnic regions-------------------
The Kachin army is on a tear against the junta in Kachin State. After capturing 2 camps at Seizin in Hpakant township 3 days ago on Aug. 8, today it attacked 2 more camps near Shaduzup, also in Hpakant township. The Kachin forces fired mortars and caused damage inside the camps. The junta fired back, and the Kachin forces withdrew with 1 dead and 1 wounded on their side. Junta casualties aren't known. (Kachin News Group, The Irrawaddy)
Results are emerging of the Aug. 7-8 battle in Kawthoolei Kler Lwi Htoo District (Kyaukgyi township on Burmese maps), in which the Karen army shot a junta helicopter and forced a crash landing in which 3 aboard died. Thirty junta troops are now known to have died in that battle, including a major who was a deputy battalion commander. The damaged helicopter was carrying his body. (Khit Thit Media)
In Arakan State, the Arakan army has taken into custody Khaing Paulin, a high-ranking member of the Arakan Liberation Party, after he entered into negotiations with the illegal military junta. The AA accuses him if unnamed crimes, but the arrest mainly signals worsening relations between the AA and the Burma army and a likelihood that recent fighting will intensify. (Than Lwin Khet News)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee thugs, in the role of common bandits, invaded and looted Ngatayhmaw village in Yesagyo township of Magway Region yesterday, stealing money, valuables, food, motorcycles, and other items. Then they left a note advising residents to hand over the PDF fighters who are their only protection. Before leaving, they destroyed the village monastery and health clinic. (Khit Thit Media) In nearby Myaing township, a junta terror squad burned Paukpin Kone, Asopa, Nyaung, Ye Twet, Thitpalway Kone, Thasi, Hnamsikan, Oyin, and Pandaingtaw villages in the past 3 days.
Troops raped, tortured, and murdered a mother, Ma Hnin Wai, in Pine village, Seik Phyu township, Magway Region on Aug. 9, then dumped her body on the road where it was found. The body showed burns and broken bones, as well as missing clothing. Ma Hnin Wai had 2 young children. (Khit Thit Media)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, PDFs bombed a junta jet fuel convoy yesterday. Four tankers were escorted by two trucks. A bomb overturned one of the tankers and another damaged one of the escorts. The troops then fired mortars at a nearby village. Two junta soldiers defected to a PDF in Kani township of Sagaing Region on Aug. 8 and have reached a liberated area. They tell of rapes of villagers by troops, and intolerable treatment of the soldiers by officers. (Mizzima)
In Chaung Oo township, a PDF coalition placed bombs along a road used by junta troops. A 45-member junta de-mining team then came out, using a jammer to prevent the PDFs activating the bombs, and began removing the PDF bombs. Some exploded, however, killing 14 troops, according to a PDF source. A drone video shows numerous bodies on the road. (Than Lwin Khet News)
In Magway Region, a PDF in Pauk township has provided health care and uniforms to 200 students at an elementary and secondary school in liberated territory, run by the PDF with guidance from the National Unity Government. There are 74 schools now operating in liberated areas of Pauk township. (Myaelatt Athan)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, an urban PDF bombed a junta-owned fuel station in Thaketa township yesterday, where there are armed junta guards. Casualties aren't known. (Myanmar Now)
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
Two days ago on Aug. 9 two PDFs in northern Kawthoolei Brigade 4 area (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps) blew up the natural gas pipeline belonging to the junta's oil company, the MOGE. The pipe leads from the junta's offshore petroleum wells in the Andaman Sea across Ye Phyu township and into Thailand, where the gas is sold, providing revenues for the illegal Burma regime. (Khit Thit Media)
Ambulances and other emergency vehicles have stopped operating in Dawei due to the lack of fuel, and fuel stations in Mandalay city are empty. (Mizzima) The junta's currency control efforts and lack of foreign currency reserves have nearly halted the importation of fuel, causing price spikes and shortages. The internet is also slow and drops out a lot nationally. The national economy is grinding to a standstill, and the only hope is removing the illegal military regime causing the problem.
Today is Karen Martyrs Day, honoring the thousands who have given their lives to defend Kawthoolei against the Burma army over the decades. The date commemorates the assassination of the first Karen president, Saw Ba U Gyi, in 1950 by the Burma army. Saw Ba U Gyi is remembered for the Karen movement's four foundational principles: “Surrender is out of the question; the recognition of the Karen nation must be complete; we shall retain our arms; we shall decide our own political destiny.”
Today is also Mon Revolution Day. In the 18th Century the Mon people controlled an empire that covered most of southern Burma, but were later conquered and massacred by the Burmese. Since independence from Britain the reduced Mon have never had a significant armed defense movement, unlike the Karen, Kachin, Arakan, and other ethnic minorities.