Ethnic regions-------------------
In Dooplaya District of Kawthoolei, the latest battle of Kaw T’Ree (Kawkareik on Burmese maps) continued today. Two junta jets dropped bombs in an attempt to blunt the Karen army’s latest attack on enemy occupation troops in and near Kaw T’Ree town, but the bombs caused no casualties. Yesterday junta mortar fire killed more than 22 cows, and may have injured others. The Asia Highway remains closed due to the fighting and the destruction of a bridge by Karen forces. (Khit Thit Media)
Karen forces drone-bombed the junta police barracks in Kyainseikgyi town last night and again this morning, damaging the office and causing injuries. Meanwhile in Taw Oo District of Kawthoolei (Htantapin township on Burmese maps), a local PDF assassinated a junta administrator yesterday who was also a relative of a junta officer.
In Mon State, a local PDF in Ye township fired on the guards in front of a junta infantry battalion camp this morning, seriously wounding 4 troops, possibly fatally. (Mizzima)
In Kachin State, the state headquarters of the junta was rocked by a powerful bomb yesterday.
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
A large junta mob is invading Salingyi and Yinmapin townships as of early this morning, forcing village populations to flee in the dark. Deputy dictator Soe Win is reportedly on hand to oversee the destruction of the civilian communities. (Khit Thit Media)
About 100 troops burned Setdaw Kone village in Indaw township yesterday. Residents were able to evacuate ahead of time. Six Indaw villages have been burned in the past week. (Mizzima)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
A battle is taking place in Mutaw village of Kani township, Sagaing Region today; it is serious enough that the junta had to bring in Russian-supplied helicopter gunships to hold back a large PDF coalition defending against enemy troops that came over from Monywa township. (Khit Thit Media)
In Monywa township, a PDF opened fire on 3 junta police on motorcycles, killing 1 and wounding 2, as shown on a video. The PDF captured a gun and some ammunition. Then a van that picked up the wounded and the dead body was blown up by a roadside bomb, also show on video. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
A PDF fired 80mm mortars at a junta supply boat docked at the Shaynmakah police barracks on the Irrawaddy River in Wetlet township yesterday; damage isn’t known.
Also in Wetlet township, a military engineering PDF delivered 54 locally-made guns to 4 other PDFs yesterday. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
In Mandalay Region, a PDF blew up a civilian vehicle carrying 10 junta troops disguised as civilians in Thabeikjin township yesterday; details of casualties aren’t known, but the van was damaged. The same day, a PDF in Mattaya township assassinated a local junta administrator; when troops arrived to pick up the body, they were blown up and 4 more died. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
A PDF has warned all local junta administrators in Kyaukse township to resign or be considered enemy targets. (Mizzima) There have been waves of junta administrator resignations in Arakan State and Irrawaddy Region lately. The loss of administrative personnel leaves the junta unable to exercise governance in affected localities.
In Bago Region, a PDF in Thayawaddy township blew up junta troops and police who were returning to base after patrolling, 2 nights ago Dec. 19. The attack was postponed from the morning due to the presence of civilians. Casualties were difficult to ascertain. (Mizzima)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, junta administrators are threatening and forcing people to register for the regime’s planned phony elections in August 2023. If they don’t register and vote, residents of Mingaladon township can be jailed for 6 months. But in order to register, the regime is extorting 10,000 to 15,000 kyats from people. (Khit Thit Media)
In Mandalay, an urban PDF assassinated 2 junta supporters in a betel nut shop in Amarapura township yesterday. (Mizzima)
In the military capital Naypyitaw, an urban PDF fired grenades at a junta checkpoint in Uttarathiri township on Dec. 19; casualties aren’t known. (Ayeyarwaddy Times) Junta personnel are not safe even in the city they built for themselves.
Political and economic-------------------
The International Finance Corporation, a division of the World Bank, is withdrawing its investment in Yoma Bank, because Yoma finances a number of junta crony businesses and projects. Yoma Bank is thus a financial backer of the current genocide. IFC owns 4.5% of Yoma Bank. This change was catalyzed with the support from Justice for Myanmar, an international anti-genocide pressure group. (Khit Thit Media)
-စီၤ ထံဆၢ