Burma Coup Resistance Notes January 3 2023
Revolution victories in Karen State and Sagaing Region
Ethnic regions-------------------
Karen forces achieved victory yesterday in their 2-day effort to capture 2 junta/BGF camps in Dooplaya District of Kawthoolei (Kyainseikgyi township on Burmese maps). The camps are located on the road to the Thai border crossing at Payathonsu, and at Taungsoon in Win Yay region. The Karen Lion battalion and allies forces took control of the camps despite intensive junta bombing with jets and helicopters. Six Karen soldiers have been killed and 10 wounded, while junta casualties haven’t been announced yet. (Tanintharyi Times) The Karen are still working on the third junta/BGF camp. Videos show Karen soldiers of the Lion battalion under the command of a one-armed officer firing mortars and rifles and honing the mortar aim via walkie-talkies. (Than Lwin Khet News)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Troops are making war on farmers trying to harvest their paddy (rice) crop in Indaw township of Sagaing Region. In addition to burning villages, the troops are threatening farmers who go to the fields, and one farmer was blown up by a landmine planted by troops in a pile of harvested paddy sheaves. They are setting fire to sheaves of dry, harvested rice stalks with the grain still on them. They have shot farmers working in their fields, and have also used stolen combine tractors to harvest and steal the paddy of villagers they have chased away with weapons. PDFs are trying to stop them with drone bombs and by sniper shooting of Pyu Saw Htee terrorists driving the stolen tractors. (People's Spring)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
PDF forces captured a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist camp at Sinnge in Tantse township early this morning, killing about 30 Pyu Saw Htee and junta troops out of the 50 or more in the camp; one PDF soldier also died. The PDFs captured a number of weapons and ammunition. After the loss of Sinnge, Pyu Saw Htees fled to a nearby camp at Ingukka village; the PDFs are bracing for Pyu Saw Htee reinforcements who may try to retake Sinnge. (Myaelatt Athan)
PDFs fired locally-manufactured mortars at a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist camp at Thayetkan in Myaing township, destroying a vehicle and killing 3 of the enemy 2 days ago Jan. 1.
Eight junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee lackeys went to their usual tea shop this morning in Kantbalu township of Sagaing Region, and were blown up along the way by a PDF bomb. Two, including an officer, received injuries that are likely fatal; 2 others were wounded as well. (Khit Thit Media)
An office of the junta proxy USDP political party in Paukkaung, Bago Region was bombed today because of its involvement in preparations for the fake elections planned for August. (Myaelatt Athan)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, 3 bombs exploded in Thaketa township yesterday, and others in North Okkalappa and Hlaingthaya townships. Because the explosions happened in civilian traffic areas, the suspicion is that they were caused by the junta as a propaganda ploy to discredit urban PDFs whom it falsely accuses. (Khit Thit Media)
After a local junta administrator was assassinated in a tea shop on Jan. 1 in Hlaingthaya, the junta has ordered all local administrators to stay out of public restaurants and tea shops, to avoid going out alone, and it advises them to sleep at police stations and army camps rather than at home for their safety. (Khit Thit Media) In effect, the junta’s personnel are hostages and pay a heavy price for their allegiance to the illegal regime.
In Mandalay, troops and a civilian lackey were stopping and harassing motorists at a checkpoint in Patheingyi township yesterday when a shot rang out and the lackey fell gravely wounded; his survival is still unknown. He was targeted by urban guerrillas for reporting information to the junta that led to the capture of some urban PDF members.
Political and economic-------------------
The stampede of workers out of Burma since the coup has been reported previously. Now the junta’s response is to stop issuing passports. Since yesterday the military regime closed Burma’s passport offices across the country. The regime is concerned about the growing shortage of skilled labor, and also the tendency of those who go abroad and earn money to support the Spring Revolution financially. (Khit Thit Media) As the restrictions of the police state continue to deepen the country’s economic and political problems, the regime’s answer is always the same, to add more restrictions.
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