Burma coup resistance notes December 9, 2022
USA takes sides with the Revolution against the junta; northern ethnic armies deal setbacks to the junta; regime forces continue arson, rape, and murder against civilians in central Burma.
Ethnic regions-------------------
In Ta’ang ethnic region of northern Shan State, the junta used 5 helicopters to drop 200 troops into 3 villages 2 days ago Dec. 7 to attack Ta’ang army positions in Namsan township. The Ta’ang surrounded them and killed about 20. Yesterday junta jets and mortars pounded the area. (The Irrawaddy)
Also in northern Shan State, a column of 100 junta troops approached a position of the Kokang ethnic army in the Theinni area near Lashiop yesterday, provoking a battle in which 3 junta troops were killed and 2 Kokang soldiers were wounded. (People's Spring)
Intense fighting is going on in Demawso township of Karenni State. As predicted, junta troops are trying to recapture territory north of Demawso town that they were driven out of in the last week of November. During the first 8 days of December they have mounted a steady attack and have recaptured the camp at Kone Tha, losing at least 20 soldiers killed. A Karenni fighter also died, but from a weapon malfunction. Now there are 200 troops on a hill near Dok Mi village, 5 miles south of Demawso. (Mizzima)
A Karenni PDF, the KRU, was defending Kone Tha on Dec. 6 and killed 4 troops by laying landmines in their path, and killed another in close combat. Five KRU members went missing during the battle, but 4 were found wounded and rescued, while they are still searching for the 5th. (Than Lwin Khet News)
In Beit-Tavoy District of Kawthoolei (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), junta troops raided a PDF supply depot in rural Dawei township, seizing 3 home-made shotguns, shotgun shells, locally-manufactured mortar shells and a launcher, grenades, and some other artisanal weapons. No PDF fighters were found. (Than Lwin Times) Meanwhile, PDFs attacked junta camps in Palaw township further south yesterday, killing 2 troops. (Khit Thit Media)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
This morning junta troops attacked and burned Wettha In village in Kantbalu township, destroying homes and granaries containing the food supply. (Khit Thit Media)
About 100 troops invaded and burned Jathait village in Pauk township 2 days ago Dec. 7. A local PDF stepped up to defend the village, and there was a battle. Two PDF soldiers died, men in their 30s and 50s; junta casualties aren’t known. (Myaelatt Athan)
About 80 troops assaulted and burned Thayapi, Jetthait, Leilan, and 7 other villages in southern Pauk township of Magway Region yesterday, driving more than 8,000 people into the bush as refugees. The troops who were burning Thayapi village found a 50-year-old woman, beat and gang raped her, and dumped her naked corpse. (Myaelatt Athan)
A report from Khin Oo township in Sagaing Region says 12 villages were burned down in that township during November, destroying 777 homes and causing residents to flee from 57 villages. Thirteen civilians were murdered. Tens of thousands of people are homeless and in need of warm clothes and blankets, as well as food, medicines, and shelter. (Khit Thit Media)
Similarly, troops destroyed 10 villages during a 4 day rampage in Htee Chaing township, Dec. 5-8, including Shwe Chaung, Pekin, Teh Kone, Indayn, Lelah, Kone Lon, Aungtha Kone, Zithaing (2 communities), Alon, and Pauk Kone. Besides burning homes, the troops committed robbery, extortion, and kidnapping, and shot at villagers who attempted to put out the fires. (Mizzima)
Junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee terrorists went to Minywa village in Nwatoji township of Mandalay Region 3 days ago Dec. 6 with a list of members of the majority NLD political party to search for. They seized 6 of them and 2 other civilians, took them outside the village, tied their hands and blindfolded them, murdered them, and dumped their bodies. (The Irrawaddy)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, 4 PDF snipers shot at a Pyu Saw Htee patrol in Zee Phyu Kone village of Palay township yesterday, killing 3. Zee Phyu Kone is a Pyu Saw Htee camp/village. (Khit Thit Media)
The junta identified a member of a Kalay town PDF, Ma Chaw Su Aung, and 50 troops set out to burn her home. She received a tip-off ahead of the raid, and booby-trapped her own home, so that explosions killed 15 junta troops as they burned the house. (The Irrawaddy)
Also in Kalay township, 100 troops set out to attack Indaïn Kone village on Dec. 7, but they were blown up by remote control bombs and then shot at by the Kalay PDF; 15 troops were killed and 3 civilians were injured. (Khit Thit Media)
As troops were burning Ashay Chan, Nyaung Hla, Inpinpin, and Kone Dey villages of Depayin township yesterday, PDF soldiers ambushed them and killed 3 troops and wounded 10.
In Shwebo township, a PDF drone-bombed junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee who were destroying Teythidaw village on Dec. 7, killing 4 Pyu Saw Htee terrorists. (Khit Thit Media)
A PDF once again attacked junta police guarding the Chinese Wang Bao copper mine in Salingyi township of Sagaing Region, killing 2 of them. (Khit Thit Media) These guards are repeatedly attacked and killed.
In Ayadaw township, a PDF coalition bombed a junta convoy on the Monywa road 2 days on Dec. 7, killing 3 troops and wounding 2 seriously. (Khit Thit Media)
Similarly, a convoy of 6 buses carrying junta troops was hit by 10 roadside bombs on the Mandalay-Monywa road in Myinmu township yesterday. Casualties aren’t known.
In Bago Region, a junta administrator in Kyaukdankah was assassinated by a PDF 2 days ago Dec. 7.
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, an urban PDF bombed a nightclub in Tamwe township last night that is owned by junta supporters.
In Mandalay, urban guerrillas threw grenades at junta troops playing basketball in front of a junta admin office in Chan Aye Tha San township yesterday, wounding 3 of them seriously. (Khit Thit Media)
In Monywa city, a local PDF borrowed a grenade launcher from another PDF and fired two 40mm grenades at a junta checkpoint at a road roundabout, killing 3 troops and wounding others. (Myaelatt Athan)
Political and economic-------------------
The American embassy in Yangon is removing its ambassador, downgrading relations with the junta-controlled regime ahead of its sham elections planned for August 2023. The USA has already made clear it will not recognize that fake poll. A deputy for diplomatic affairs will handle American matters in Yangon starting in January. Meanwhile, a new law applying tough conditions on the junta and providing non-lethal assistance for PDFs and the NUG was approved by the American Congress. (People's Spring)
On the other hand, American companies have imported more than 500 tons of illegally-logged teak timber since the coup, paying the genocidal regime in cash for the wood. (Myanmar Now)
The European Union parliament welcomed National Unity Government Minister for Human Rights U Aung Myo Min, to discuss a plan for dealing with the Burma situation. The welcome stops short of diplomatic recognition of the National Unity Government, but offers a strong endorsement. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
In contrast, Thailand sent a new ambassador who immediately held meetings with the genocidal generals on boosting trade, investment, and tourism. (The Irrawaddy) Thailand’s PTT corporation is the only remaining large investor in the Burma junta’s Yadana offshore oil and gas project, which is the junta’s single largest funding source.
-စီၤ ထံဆၢ