Burma coup resistance notes December 8, 2022
Kachin army mauls junta aggressors; ethnic Ta'ang & Kokang fighting today; 40 troops killed near Dawei.
Ethnic regions-------------------
More information is out about the battle in Hpakant township of Kachin State on Dec. 6. As reported yesterday, 80 junta troops had kidnapped 30 civilians in Maden Yang village to use as human shields and porters, herding them into a monastery, but then the Kachin army and allied PDFs attacked and freed the hostages. The latest report says at least 30 junta troops were killed and 20 wounded, and the minority of survivors retreated. That’s when the air strikes were called in, killing some civilians in nearby villages, but Kachin forces took control of most of Hpakant while junta troops withdrew, but the troops kidnapped 20 civilians as they were leaving. People are fleeing wildly, villagers to towns, town residents to villages, etc. (Kachin News Group, The Irrawaddy)
Fighting is also heating up in northeast Shan State, where the ethnic Kokang army (MNDAA) recently repulsed a large junta advance. Civilians are fleeing the Kokang area in anticipation of a renewed junta attack. (The Irrawaddy) The Kokang enclave is ruled militarily by the Burma junta, but with a strong Kokang army fighting for autonomy, and the local economy is heavily integrated with China, just across the border.
Also in northern Shan State, junta forces attacked a camp of the ethnic Ta’ang army (TNLA) in Banlon village of Nampsan township yesterday. The fighting was reported to be fierce, with 5 junta attack helicopters dropping troops by air and mortars shot from Nampsan town. The fighting continued today, with no outcome to report yet. Jets are bombing, which usually happens when the junta suffers ground losses. (Than Lwin Khet News)
More is also known now about the Dec. 4 attack on the junta police barracks in Maungmagan, on the coast near Dawei in Beit-Tavoy District of Kawthoolei (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps). Seven local PDFs coordinated to attack the police barracks and a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist camp in nearby Karenji village. They also prepared an ambush on the road from Dawei where they knew junta reinforcements would arrive, and blew up three trucks when they came. In all, about 40 junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee were killed, and 5 PDF fighters were wounded. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
The Karen army blew up a junta supply truck in Thapyay Kone village of Dooplaya District of Kawthoolei (Kyainseikgyi township on Burmese maps) yesterday, leading to a firefight. Results are not reported. (Than Lwin Khet News)
In Arakan State, junta mortar and small arms fire were heard again in Minbya township, 10 days after the start of a ceasefire between the Arakan Army and the junta. (Mizzima) This ceasefire has been tense since it began, with the potential for renewed fighting at any time, with increased intensity due to the junta’s restocking of its positions with ammunition, troops, and supplies.
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Troops invaded and burned Leilan village in Pauk township, Magway Region last night. (Khit Thit Media)
In Tantse township of Sagaing Region, junta terrorist gangs have burned 4 villages in the past week. These are Kamphyu, Wetdoh, Puti, and Thagaungji. These village are near the border with Kantbalu township, which has also been devastated by junta terrorist attacks on civilian communities. Over 2,500 homes have been destroyed since the Feb. 2021 coup d'état. (People's Spring)
In Htee Chaing township of Sagaing Region, troops are burning Pauk Kone village today. (Khit Thit Media)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
PDFs attacked 150 junta/Pyu Saw Htee terrorists who came to steal timber from public lands in Kantbalu township today. Hearing that they would do this, the PDFs planted concealed bombs, and blew up the enemy’s vehicles as they arrived. Two vehicles were destroyed and the 3 others fled. Two vehicles were required to evacuate the wounded and the dead bodies. (Myaelatt Athan)
A video has emerged of a junta truck in flames after being blown up by PDFs in Pakokku township on Dec. 5. Four junta troops were killed including 2 officers. (Khit Thit Media)
Urban warfare------------------
An alliance of urban PDFs detonated a bomb last night inside the Mingaladon township police station in Yangon, seriously injuring at least one junta policeman. These junta “police” kidnap citizens for ransom and extort money from travelers and checkpoints. (Mizzima) Mingaladon is the same township near the airport where the junta has expelled 50,000 home owners from 5 neighborhoods and is bulldozing them.
Also in Mingaladon township of Yangon, a road checkpoint was bombed by another urban PDF today, killing a policeman and wounding several others. (Mizzima)
Political and economic-------------------
Proposed legislation in the USA contains tough language and concrete policy actions against Burma’s illegal military regime, and in support of the National Unity Government, PDFs, and refugees. It stops short, however, of providing the thing most needed, military assistance to the armed resistance in order to end the war. The National Defense Act is likely to be passed and signed into law by President Biden. (Khit Thit Media)
Thai police and troops yesterday arrested 18 Burma citizens during a raid at the Burma Spring Center, a charity that provides support for people displaced by the Burma civil war. They were held all day and released later. (Myanmar Now)
Switzerland is hosting a UN conference on development cooperation in Geneva, and it has disinvited junta representatives. It still has not recognized Burma’s National Unity Government, however, so the country will not have a presence at the conference, unlike almost every other country in the world. (Khit Thit Media)
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