PDFs fired mortars and guns at 7 junta supply boats carrying ammunition and jet fuel up the Chindwin River toward Homalin township yesterday. In response, a column of 150 junta troops came up the riverbank, and was intercepted by a large PDF coalition in Kani township, leading to a 5-hour battle. PDF commanders say at least 30 junta troops were killed and more wounded. The PDFs overran some junta positions and captured weapons. The junta then sent a helicopter gunship which fired for an hour, but that didn’t end the battle. The PDFs promise more information later. (People's Spring)
Ethnic regions-------------------
On the occasion of Karen New Year 2762, Kawthoolei government (KNU) president Mutu Say Poe said the KNU will work together with all partners to defeat the illegal junta. (KNU) Mutu Say Poe was once a signatory of the National Ceasefire Agreement with the Burma military, which made him a dove among many hawks, but events have turned even him into a supporter of armed resistance. The junta sent jet bombs and mortar barrages into villages of Kaw T’Ree township (Kawkareik on Burmese maps) on Karen New Year’s Day. (People's Spring)
Today is also Ta’ang New Year 2714; the Ta’ang won a huge battle against junta invaders earlier this month.
After junta troops had been indiscriminately firing mortars into civilian villages in Palaw township of Beit-Tavoy District of Kawthoolei (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), local PDFs counter-attacked the Palaw police barracks yesterday. Casualties aren’t known, but the junta was forced to go on the defensive. (People's Spring)
After Kachin army spokesman General Nawbu described the illegal junta as pathetic and doomed, during an interview, the junta has hurt feelings and has been bombing and shelling the Kachin headquarters near Laiza for 4 days. Jets have dropped bombs and ground troops in the area have fired mortars at Laiza. There are no reports of serious damage or casualties. (People's Spring)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Junta troops burned down 5 villages yesterday in Sagaing township of Sagaing Region. They also burned Tanpinchaung village in Yesagyo township, Magway Region and Jaukpaukkon in Wuntho township of Sagaing Region 2 nights ago Dec. 20. (Khit Thit Media)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, a PDF in Minkin township blew up a column of 30 Pyu Saw Htee village destruction terrorists today in the Taung Lek area, killing 12 of them.
Likewise, PDF blew up a gang of 8 junta troops and police who were returning to base in Thabeikjin township of Mandalay Region yesterday. Seven were killed, including a Major. A report says the Major was taken away in 2 different ambulances. (Khit Thit Media, People’s Spring)
A Kalay township PDF detonated roadside bombs on a foot column of 80 junta troops yesterday, killing 2 and wounding others. After the explosion the troops shot their guns a lot for 10 minutes, then kidnapped 6 random civilians from a nearby village. (Mizzima)
Two PDFs attacked Pyu Saw Htee terrorists twice yesterday as they came out of their camp at Zee Phyu Kone in Palay township. Casualties aren’t known, but the 40 Pyu Saw Htees were forced back into their camp instead of going to burn villages. (Myaelatt Athan) PDFs also fired rockets into a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist camp at Kanni in Myaing township of Magway Region yesterday. (People's Spring)
In Tantse township, a PDF coalition attacked Pyu Saw Htee terrorists who were stealing farmers’ paddy (rice) crops using combine tractors; casualties aren’t reported. (Khit Thit Media)
In Magway Region, PDFs fired on a police barracks in Kamma village of Pakokku township yesterday, killing 2 and wounding 3. A PDF soldier was slightly wounded.
A column of 30 junta troops that came out to clear mines along the Mandalay-Monywa road yesterday got blown up by 10 roadside bombs between Sagaing and Myinmu townships in Nyaungpin. There were casualties, but the number isn’t known. (People's Spring)
A PDF fired on a junta terror gang at Thedaw in Yesagyo township on Dec. 19, killing 5 troops including at least 1 officer. Afterward, when the PDF went to clear and secure the area, remaining junta troops who were hiding surprised the PDF and killed one soldier. The PDF captured some junta weapons and ammunition. (People's Spring)
Urban warfare------------------
As junta dictator Min Aung Hlaing was visiting Yangon, a bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in Tamwe township this morning and in South Dagon township yesterday where a junta patrol was stationed. Today, two local junta administrators in Sanchaung township were assassinated in a tea shop. (Khit Thit Media)
An urban PDF in Mandalay bombed a junta police station in Chanmyathasi township of that city yesterday, and a junta soldier was wounded or killed by a bomb launched at a guard post in Amarapura township. (Mizzima)
Political and economic-------------------
After the leak of a November junta memo ordering a purge of watermelons (Revolution sympathizers and informants within the junta military), the National Unity Government issued an opposite call this week, inviting more informants from within enemy ranks. It offers financial rewards to cash-strapped government and military personnel to provide information. It also offers safe haven to informants who need to leave for their security. (The Irrawaddy) In Karenni State, a junta army watermelon from the medic corps did just that yesterday, joining the Karenni forces physically after providing information for some time. (People's Spring)
The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for the illegal Burma regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and president U Win Myint, and to cease violence. The resolution was proposed by Great Britain, and the junta’s friends China, Russia, and India abstained in the vote. The resolution is completely toothless and its requests are exceedingly timid, but it is the first one passed by the Security Council against the junta in any form. (The Irrawaddy)
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