Burma coup resistance notes August 24, 2022
Ethnic regions-------------------
Karen army Brigade 5 reported today that 2 days ago Aug. 22 it stormed an enemy BGF camp in Dwelo township of Kawthoolei (Karen nation) Mutraw District (Hpapun township on Burmese maps). Four BGF operatives were killed, the rest fled, and some military rifles, mortars, and grenades were captured by the Karen forces. (Khit Thit Media) In Mutraw District, the BGF are known for firing mortars into civilian villages, forcing residents to go live in the jungle as refugees. That is presumably the reason this camp was taken.
In Kawthoolei Dooplaya District (Myawaddy township on Burmese maps), one Karen Cobra soldier was killed in a junta airstrike yesterday, but the junta’s advance faltered and an unknown number of troops were killed due to resistance by the Cobras. This sequence of events has now been repeated several times. At least 50 junta troops were killed in Dooplaya District in the first 3 weeks of August, according to the Kawthoolei government (KNU).
There is a delayed report from the Kawthoolei government regarding a battle on Aug. 19 in Doo Tha Htoo District (Kyaikto township on Burmese maps). About 100 junta troops invaded Letpin village on that day and were met by Karen army Brigade 1 troops, who killed 13 of the invaders and wounded 4. (People's Spring)
The KNLA is a relatively small but professional army trying to defend the Karen homeland against the behemoth Burma invasion army. From the perspective of overworked and ill-fed junta troops, however, an order to attack the Karen is a terrifying exercise in futility and a possible death sentence. These attacks get shot up again and again by the well-hidden and impossible-to-hit local defenders. As the junta dead pile up and the maimed wounded are evacuated, the commanders simply order up more reinforcements and more fruitless advances into the stinging fire of the Karen. In this light, the steady stream of defectors is easy to comprehend.
The Kachin army and allied PDF and ABSDF militia attacked junta troops who were looting in Nabah village yesterday in Indaw township of northern Sagaing Region. Casualties aren’t known, other than that at least 10 troops were killed by the Kachin and allies. (Khit Thit Media)
A report by Myanmar Now says the junta has retreated from 13 of its long-standing occupation camps in Karenni region since Karenni defense forces began fighting after the Feb. 2021 coup d'état. The majority are in northwestern Shadaw township, with others in Hpruso and Mese. In some cases the Karenni have cut the supply lines to the remote camps, forcing their evacuation.
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
In Sagaing Region, junta troops burned May 31 village yesterday, and kidnapped a man to use as a local guide, then shot him dead. In Paungpyin township they burned Thangah village and trapped 60 residents inside.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
Yesterday’s battle in Kantbalu township of Sagaing Region turned out bigger than first known. Two PDF battalions attacked a junta village terror squad and killed more than 30 troops, including 2 captains. A lieutenant was captured alive, and the PDFs were able to rescue 60 villagers who had been taken hostage by junta troops. The junta responded with airstrikes on nearby villages in Kantbalu, Kawlin, and Kyunhla townships by Russian-supplied attack jets and helicopter gunships, which killed two civilian men, a pregnant woman, and a 6-year-old child. The PDFs captured over 20 weapons along with ammunition. (Khit Thit Media)
In Tantse township yesterday, local PDFs attacked another junta village terror unit, killing 4 and wounding 15 of the troops. During the night junta jets came and dropped bombs. Likewise in Kani township yesterday local PDFs bombed and fired on a junta movement of 70 troops for 2 hours, killing at least 15 troops, according to the PDFs. Witnesses say the junta sank its dead soldiers in the Chindwin River with sandbags. (Khit Thit Media) An unnamed number of junta soldiers crossed the lines and defected to local PDFs. (People's Spring)
A group of 50 junta troops left Ye Oo town today going toward Khin Oo, when a PDF alliance detonated 6 bombs as the troops reached a bridge. Ten or more junta troops were supposedly killed. A damaged vehicle had to be towed, and wounded troops were taken to a junta camp for treatment. (Khit Thit Media)
In Sagaing’s Banmauk township, local PDFs fought junta-proxy Shanni ethnic militia yesterday in three or four locations. The fact that the junta has cut off phone and internet in Banmauk complicates reporting on the outcome of the conflict.
In Mandalay Region, a PDF bombed a junta convoy on the Mandalay-Monywa road last night, destroying the last vehicle in the convoy and killing a number of people in it. The hulk of the vehicle was still there this morning. (People's Spring)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, a junta administrator in South Dagon township was assassinated yesterday. (Mizzima) A junta admin office in Mayangone township was attacked with a grenade the night before last. (Myanmar Now)
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
The National Unity Government has presented an award to a sniper from its southern military command, known as Pho Lu, who picked off 37 junta troops in one year. (Mizzima)