Burma coup resistance notes December 5, 2022
Major PDF attack in Magway; Beit-Tavoy District (Tanintharyi) becomes a main battleground; the junta can't keep the lights on.
Ethnic regions-------------------
After Karen forces attacked the Yadanapon junta border camp near Bokpyin in Beit-Tavoy District of Kawthoolei (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps) on Dec. 3, the junta sent reinforcements marching in yesterday from Myeik and Kawthaung. The Karen army and allied PDFs lay in wait for them, detonating roadside bombs and opening fire with small arms. Three troops were killed and 8 wounded, and some weapons were captured. (People's Spring)
A short ways north in Tanintharyi township, Karen forces attacked a junta covoy of more than 100 troops yesterday, killing 5 and wounding 18 “in an emergency condition.” Further north still, a PDF opened fire on a police station at Maungmakan, on the coast near Dawei. When the junta sent reinforcements from Dawei, they were blown up by roadside bombs planted in advance. The number of junta casualties isn’t known. (Khit Thit Media)
In Karenni State, Karenni defense forces report that they spent the last week of November clearing out junta troops from villages in far eastern Loikaw township near Shadaw. I several days of clashes at least 10 troops were killed, though in some cases there may be unknown casualties; 6 Karenni soldiers received minor wounds. (People's Spring)
In Mon State, a bomb blast rocked a junta admin office in Mudon town this morning, killing the junta administrator and wounding 3 other collaborationist workers. (The Irrawaddy)
The ceasefire in Arakan State has allowed illegal timber strippers to re-start illicit logging operations in the mountains, with the junta’s blessing and no objection from the Arakan Army.
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Over 100 junta troops invaded, looted, and burned Yay Mayn village of Salingyi township, Sagaing Region yesterday. They carted away stolen property from the burning village. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
PDFs mounted a major attack on the junta police barracks in Yesagyo town in Magway Region yesterday. They killed 30 or more troops, including some officers, and not all of the bodies had been removed yet; the highest-ranking bodies were removed first. Six PDFs took part in the attack. (Khit Thit Media)
In Bago Region, a PDF blew up the junta administration offices in Waw town this morning, causing extensive damage. (Myaelatt Athan)
A PDF arrested 2 drug traffickers carrying heroin in Kawlin township yesterday. The drugs are to be burned, while cash, computers, phones, and other accessories will be retained for the PDF. The defendants will be prosecuted under the National Unity Government justice system. (Khit Thit Media)
In Wandwin township, between Mandalay and Naypyitaw, the junta is trying to fill its growing manpower gap by forcibly recruiting youth to be Pyu Saw Htee terrorists. They have threatened 7 villages to raise 30 recruits each, or the villages could be destroyed. Most youth from these villages are gone, however, working in Mandalay or elsewhere. Youth still in the villages are now leaving to avoid this threat. (Mizzima)
Urban warfare------------------
Two junta crony karaoke bars were bombed by urban PDFs last night in North Dagon township, and a third attack was unsuccessful. In Hlaingthaya township another bomb went off. (Khit Thit Media) Urban guerrillas blew up a junta checkpoint in Shwepyitha township yesterday, killing 3 police and wounding 2. (People's Spring)
Political and economic-------------------
The junta is unable to maintain the electricity supply in Burma. There has been no electricity for over 24 hours nationwide; previously it has only been on for about 5 hours per day. Dictator Min Aung Hlaing recently said the country needs to “save electricity.” In cities, lack of electricity is leading to water shortage as electric pumps can’t fill tanks. Sanitation problems quickly follow. (Khit Thit Media) The coup is turning a modernizing country back toward the Middle Ages.
The back story has emerged behind the viral video of PDF members beating and shooting a young woman in Tamu. The killers in the video are actually PDF members, but the video is not new, it is from June 2022. The victim in the video was a junta informant whose tip-off had led directly to the capture of a young PDF member, who was then tortured to death in captivity. She was also the niece of a local Pyu Saw Htee terrorist leader. The PDF blamed the informant for the murder, and shortly afterward they caught and killed her in the manner shown in the clip. While dalans (informants) are routinely assassinated because they pose a deadly threat to regime opponents, mistreating people in captivity is against National Unity Government code of conduct. The video got into circulation after junta troops captured a cell phone in a PDF camp that they raided, and found the video in the phone. They decided to release it on Dec. 3 for propaganda purposes, and junta administrators organized a small pro-junta, anti-PDF rally of 100 people in Tamu town. (Mizzima)
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