Burma coup resistance notes December 16, 2022
Karen launch major attack at Kaw T'Ree; junta takes full advantage of Arakan ceasefire; Namsan residents returning home after junta defeat there.
Ethnic regions-------------------
A day-long battle took place in Dooplaya District of Kawthoolei (Kawkareik and Myawaddy townships on Burmese maps) today. The Karen Cobra and Lion battalions fired on a junta infantry battalion in Tada Kyo village at the entrance to Kaw T’Ree town (Kawkareik on Burmese maps). An early report says at least 10 junta troops have been killed including a Major. This battalion is part of a division that has been weakened in Kawthoolei by the diversion of other battalions to fight in Shan State. The embattled troops called on helicopter gunships which came and shot at things, and Karen forces blew up and damaged a bridge on the Asia Highway between Kaw T’Ree and Myawaddy, causing the road to be closed. Also in Dooplaya District, an explosion and fire at a transformer station knocked out electric power to Myawaddy town last night, possibly for a long time to come; more junta troops were killed there. The cause of the explosion isn’t known yet, but this comes a day after the junta announced that it would re-open the border gate to Thailand at Myawaddy. Today’s events make that a lot less likely. (People's Spring, Khit Thit Media)
In Doo Tha Htoo District of Kawthoolei (Kyaikto township on Burmese maps), PDFs under Karen army supervision bombed a convoy of 4 vehicles in Kyaikto that was driving from Bilin toward Waw yesterday, resulting in the deaths of 5 troops. One of the vehicles had to be towed.
In Beit-Tavoy District of Kawthoolei (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), local PDFs intercepted a column of about 100 junta troops going from Thayetchaung toward Palaw 2 days ago Dec. 14. The PDFs detonated a roadside bomb and followed up with gunfire. When the troops chased the PDFs into a rubber plantation, they tripped some mines. At least 10 junta troops were wounded and evacuated.
In Mutraw District of Kawthoolei (Hpapun township on Burmese maps), the Karen army reports attacks: They intercepted a junta reinforcement column on Dec. 14 in Ler Mu Plaw area, and attacked a junta camp in Saw Mu Plaw on Dec. 13. In all, 2 junta troops were killed and an officer wounded.
After the defeat of the junta invasion of Namsan township in ethnic Ta’ang territory of northern Shan State, some of the thousands of villagers who fled the fighting are beginning to return to their homes. (People's Spring)
Karenni defense forces are reporting that 3 clashes on Dec. 13 and 14 in Demawso township resulted in 30 junta troops wounded in Bet Thalayn, Dawseh, and Wantlatwah villages, and the invaders burned down the villages. (Than Lwin Khet News)
Since the ceasefire began in Arakan State on Nov. 26, the junta has shipped in 43 truckloads of ammunition and food for its troops there, and has expanded its checkpoints in violation of the agreement that both sides would stop where they are. (Myaelatt Athan) Once again, negotiations with liars produce meaningless agreements.
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Junta/Pyu Saw Htee terrorist have invaded and burned down Wekatha village in Mawlaik township, Sagaing Region, leaving only 7 structures standing. In Htee Chaing township, another group of junta terrorists is burning down Jonja village today.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, almost 100 soldiers from a Palay township PDF fired for 40 minutes at close range on a Pyu Saw Htee camp at Zee Phyu Kone yesterday, saying it killed 15 of the terrorists and wounded others, and only 4 escaped safely. (Khit Thit Media)
In Magway Region, the Yaw Defense Force intercepted a junta column in Htilin township on Dec. 14, leading to a battle in which a junta platoon commander and 2 other troops were killed. (People's Spring)
In Yesagyo township, 3 PDFs confronted junta troops yesterday and killed 4 of them. The PDFs stopped their attack when the troops seized civilians to use as human shields. They say the junta troops have been using fake PDF uniforms. (Khit Thit Media)
In Natmauk township, PDFs blew up a junta convoy with remote-control mines 2 days ago Dec. 14, killing 14 troops and wounding 4.
In Mindon township, PDFs assassinated someone who had been passing information to the junta about resistance activists and getting them kidnapped by junta troops. In response, the junta sent troops to investigate, and one of their cars was blown up by a roadside bomb, resulting in an unknown number of casualties. (People's Spring)
In Bago township, PDFs destroyed a bridge used as a junta resupply route in Kyauktankah. (Khit Thit Media)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, an urban PDF fired two 107mm missiles at junta troops in Insein township yesterday; impacts aren’t reported.
In Mandalay, an urban PDF bombed the entrance of a police barracks in Chanmyatsan township yesterday, wounding 2 guards, and yesterday another PDF bombed a police station in Pyigyidagon township. (Mizzima)
In the military capital of Naypyitaw, 2 bombs exploded near the railroad last night, and other unexploded bombs were found. (Khit Thit Media)
Political and economic-------------------
In the realm of corruption and state banditry, Mizzima carried a story today about junta police and railway staff selling tickets unofficially for inflated prices after tickets are declared sold out.
-စီၤ ထံဆၢ