Burma coup resistance notes June 24, 2023
A week filled with news: The junta’s loss of territorial control accelerates; Karenni forces steamroll over southern junta positions; new USA sanctions devastate junta finances.
Karenni-------------------
Karenni forces captured the last remaining junta base in Mese Township on June 23. It had been left stranded and without support by the capture of 4 other junta camps on June 13. Eighteen junta troops surrendered, and 3 officers are missing; none were killed. The Karenni captured a large amount of weapons and ammunition. The entire township is now liberated territory, free of enemy troops. Jets bombed in response, but caused no damage (Mizzima 6/24)
With the junta expelled from Mese Township in southeaster Karenni, the battle has moved northwest to Hpasaung. Both sides sent reinforcements from northern Karenni State, and the junta is bombing with jets in Hpasaung, Hpruso, and Demawso Townships. Several civilians have been killed in Hpruso, including children. (Mizzima 6/24)
Three hundred Karenni forces attacked 3 junta border camps in Hpasaung Township June 20-22, each housing about 50 troops of the junta and its local allied BGF. The Karenni killed about 20 enemy, and also suffered some injuries but no deaths. Junta jets responded by bombing, but no damage is reported. (Mizzima 6/24)
A column of 120 junta troops came to reinforce the lost camps in Mese Township, but was counter-attacked and stopped by Karenni forces in Hpasaung when it attempted to cross the Salween River on June 20. A junta aircraft mistakenly bombed its own troops there, killing at least 10 of them and wounding many more. A Karenni soldier was killed and 5 wounded. (Than Lwin Khet News 6/24)
During the June 13 battle of Mese, two ethnic Karenni battalions that had been forced to come under Burmese command in 2009 switched sides and rejoined the Karenni army, arresting their Burmese officers. That bulk defection was part of the reason for the resounding Karenni victory that day at the Mese town police barracks and three border army camps. Reports say the Karen army (KNLA) also ventured into Karenni State to help with the assault. The Karenni are attempting to expel the junta army from the strip of mountainous territory between the Salween River and the Thai border. (People's Spring 6/20)
In the ongoing battle in Mobye, the civilian death toll has risen to 33. Most of the killings were from close-range shooting, or deliberate murder, and the rest from indiscriminate mortar fire. (The Irrawaddy 6/20)
Kawthoolei-------------------
A column of 16 junta vehicles carrying 200 troops and officials of the junta-owned Myanmar Economic Holding Company entered the Tavoy-Htee Khee road in northern Beit-Tavoy District on June 15, and was attacked by Karen PDFs. During a 3-hour battle at least 8 junta troops were killed and 12 wounded. In subsequent fighting 7 more were killed. The holding company operates a mine at Hinda that causes severe environmental damage, and a hydropower dam at Paungdaw. The convoy reached Hinda, but before it could get to Paungdaw, local defense forces burned and destroyed the hydropower plant there. The junta convoy turned back due to losses. The Paundaw hydro power plant was old and defunct, but the junta dictator had ordered it re-activated after the Feb. 2021 coup. (Tanintharyi Times 6/17, 6/20)
A multi-day battle began in Tenasserim Township of southern Beit-Tavoy District on June 16, where PDFs from Tenasserim and Beit townships blocked the advance of 80 junta troops. The troops had attacked two villages, but were then surrounded by PDFs and driven back with drone bombing and gunfire. They kidnapped a family as human shields on their way out. (The Irrawaddy 6/21)
On June 20 a junta column of 200 troops went marching in Palaw Township of middle Beit-Tavoy District and was met by PDFs who killed 10 of them and forced the rest to retreat. (Khit Thit Media 6/22)
Further north, a junta patrol of 80 troops was ambushed by the Karen army in Lerr Doh Township (Kyaukgyi) of Kler Lwi Htoo District on June 20. The Karen forces killed 18 junta troops in an hour of fighting, and captured rifles and ammunition. Photos show irregular and damaged weapons of the junta. The Karen say the junta was trying to assert its territorial control, but that it no longer has control. (People's Spring 6/22)
In Dooplaya District, Karen army forces attacked a junta camp in Kaw T'Ree town (Kawkareik) on June 21, killing 8 troops in the camp and wounding others. Some reports say the Karen forces captured the camp. Jets came and dropped bombs. The Karen say they have switched from a defensive to an offensive strategy as the junta can now do little more than try to protect its remaining positions. (Mizzima 6/22, Ayeyarwaddy Times 6/23) Karen forces have destroyed junta positions in Kaw T’Ree multiple times, but then retreated due to the threat of jet bombing in the civilian town.
After Karen army Brigade 6 soldiers and NUG forces took possession of the national highway south of Mawlamyaing city in Mon State, they stopped and inspected vehicles. They arrested four junta operatives attempting to pass as civilians on June 19. (Karen Information Center 6/20) Nearby junta troops fired mortars in the general direction of the Karen checkpoint, seriously damaging several rubber trees and causing buffalos to flee the area. Karen army occupation of the highway effectively cuts off junta land access to the country’s southeast panhandle, leaving only sea routes.
Karen army Brigade 2 has besieged a junta camp at Kyauklonji in Leittho Township, Taw Oo District, attacking on June 4, 12, and 20. At least 10 of the camps 30-40 troops have been killed, with no casualties on the Karen side. This camp is on a strategic road leading to Karenni and Shan States. (Mizzima 6/24)
Karen army Brigade 5 in Mutraw District announced its combat statistics for the first half of June: 45 junta troops were killed and 13 wounded during 31 clashes, while 4 Karen soldiers were killed and 10 wounded. A video shows Karen and Arakan Army troops together occupying a village and finding dead and wounded junta troops and ammunition. The Arakan Army has a battalion in training in Kawthoolei with the Karen army.
Kachin State-------------------
The Kachin army suffered a minor setback when junta troops raided a Kachin government (KIO) administration office in Saytmu village, Hpakant Township in Kachin State on June 20. At least 3 people were killed and 7 wounded, and more than 20 were abducted by the junta troops. The fate of the hostages isn’t known. (The Irrawaddy 6/23)
Shan State-------------------
A civilian 12-wheel truck smuggling weapons and ammunition to the junta from China flipped over on June 18 near Theinni in northern Shan State, crushing two troops posing as civilians. (Khit Thit Media 6/18) China is thus actively propping up the terrorist regime in Naypyitaw.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
A PDF coalition dropped drone bombs on a junta armory at Kyauksitpone in Monywa Township on June 18, setting off chain reaction explosions that the PDFs say killed 43 junta troops including 3 officers. The coalition included PDFs deployed from as far away as Shwebo Township in northern Sagaing and Kyaukse Township in Mandalay Region, indicating an escalating level of coordination within the Spring Revolution armed forces. (Khit Thit Media 6/20)
PDFs blew up a column of 80 junta troops using 26 roadside bombs in Shwebo Township of Sagaing Region on Juney 16, killing 16. The survivors put the dead into village houses and burned them, then evacuated the seriously wounded by ambulance. Later, 23 soldiers left the village and got blown up again; 1 died and 4 were wounded. Forty more soldiers emerged from Shwebo town; roadside bombs killed 8 more and wounded 4. Then the first group was hit by more roadside bombs, killing 9 and wounding others. (Khit Thit Media 6/17)
PDFs in northern Mandalay Region report attacking 40 junta troops in a camp west of Mogok town on June 20 with drone bombs and small arms fire and killing about 30 of them. Jets came and bombed 3 times, and then the PDFs retreated when junta reinforcements arrived. They were not able to capture the camp. (Khit Thit Media 6/23)
The June 15 storming of a junta police barracks in Panthah village of Tamu Township, Sagaing Region has been followed by a continuous battle in which jets have dropped bombs each day. There are junta troops surrounded and pinned down inside schools and police buildings, and helicopters have air-dropped supplies; some of that air-dropped ammunition was snagged by local PDFs fighting the troops. On June 20 four more troops were killed as well as 4 Pyu Saw Htees; nearly 30 troops have been killed since the battle began; 7 PDF soldiers have also been wounded. (Myaelatt Athan 6/20)
The Danger Force PDF used drone bombs to blow up a meeting between junta troops and their Pyu Saw Htee henchmen in Ayadaw Township on June 20. Fifteen junta/Pyu Saw Htee operatives were killed inside the building as well as 2 guards at the entrance, according to local witnesses; at least 4 others were wounded. (Mizzima 6/22)
In Seikphyu Township of Magway Region, PDFs detonated roadside bombs twice on a junta convoy on June 20. The next day trucks came to remove the dead, and were bombed again. Twenty junta troops were killed in the 2 days and 30 were wounded, according to the NUG. (Khit Thit Media 6/23)
Three groups of PDFs attacked three different junta targets simultaneously inside Myaung town on June 21. The PDFs were from as far away as Meiktila in Mandalay Region, and they used fixed-wing drones to drop bombs, and locally-manufactured rockets, and gunfire to attack the police barracks and two administrative offices for an hour. Watermelon (junta insider) sources initially said 4 to 7 troops were killed and 15 wounded, but totals aren’t known. (People's Spring 6/22)
PDFs in Yesagyo Township of Magway Region used drone bombs and small arms to attack a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist camp on June 11, killing 11 Pyu Saw Htee, but were unable to capture the camp. (Khit Thit Media 6/17)
About 10 junta troops died when PDFs in Myinchan Township fired rocket-propelled grenades at three supply boats ascending the Irrawaddy River on June 18. The boats sustained damage but didn’t sink. (Myaelatt Athan 6/20)
There is a pattern of PDF groups mounting attacks on junta road checkpoints where troops or police extort cash from travelers and/or steal motorcycles and ransom them back. On June 21, for example, PDFs fired rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at 15 troops at the entrance to Myaing town in Magway Region, killing 3 of them and wounding 4. (Myaelatt Athan 6/22) Similarly, the Mon State Monsters PDF attacked a junta checkpoint in Ye Township on June 22 where troops had been stealing cash and durian fruits from travelers and molesting women; four out of the 8 troops were killed and others wounded. (Ayeyarwaddy Times 6/22)
The National Unity Government (NUG) recently provided hundreds ofmilitary rifles to 5 PDF battalions in Magway Region. (Than Lwin Khet News 6/24)
Urban warfare------------------
Yangon was rocked by explosions in Hlaingthaya, North Okkalapa, Insein, South Dagon, Thaketa, Hlaing, Dawpone, and Myangone townships the night of June 18. Targets included junta infantry battalions, courts, police stations. The bombings were coordinated by an urban guerrilla network of the NUG. The occasion was Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday, but urban bombings have been frequent lately. (Mizzima 6/18)
The chief security officer of Yangon airport was assassinated on June 19 by the Urban Owls Yangon Guerrilla Unit. Maj. Le Khaing, a protégé of deputy dictator Soe Win, oversaw the routine abduction, extortion, and torture of passengers and others at Yangon International Airport. (Mizzima 6/19) Urban guerrillas have been expressly targeting air force personnel due to the air terror bombing of civilians.
The junta is ordering more urban destruction in Yangon. It will bulldoze more than 100 homes in South Dagon Township by June 30, accusing residents of building on municipal land. In reality the residents are mostly card-holding members of the NLD political party that won the 2020 election in a landslide, only to be toppled by the Feb. 2021 military coup. The destruction is thus part of the long purge of the NLD. (The Irrawaddy 6/24)
Political and economic-------------------
The USA is imposing sanctions on two more junta-related banks, the Myanma Foreign Trade Bank and the Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank. Offshore oil revenues and international commerce flow through these banks. The measure is intended to restrict the illegal regime’s access to financing and thus to its ability to purchase weapons. The regime called an emergency meeting to discuss the effects of the sanctions on the national economy. It has sought to conduct its trade in the currencies of sympathetic tyrannical regimes such as Russian rubles and Chinese yuan. Following the announcement of sanctions, there was a public rush to sell the national kyat currency and buy dollars and gold, which will send the value of the kyat plummeting. (Mizzima 6/20, Khit Thit Media 6/21)
Sanctions are part of the USA government’s Burma Act, which also stipulates support for the NUG and ethnic homeland governments in the fight for democracy. On June 20 NUG ministers and ethnic representatives met in Washington DC with members of the American government, including the National Security Council, a top-level political-military information agency. (The Irrawaddy 6/24) The USA is the Spring Revolution’s strongest international supporter, though it still stops short of according diplomatic recognition or providing desperately-needed military assistance to the NUG. These high-level contacts between the NUG and the USA government are the closest thing to official recognition short of a formal diplomatic exchange.
The NUG says it has township health officials overseeing health services in 198 out of Burma’s 330 townships, or 60% of the country. It also has hundreds of doctors and nurses providing care, mostly CDM, and over 1,500 basic health workers and nearly 1,000 health volunteers. These numbers include ethnic homeland government health staff such as the Kawthoolei Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW). (People's Spring 6/18) As in the education sector, NUG and ethnic public services surpass those of the largely incompetent junta regime.
Indonesia and Malaysia formally rejected the outgoing Thai Foreign Minister’s unofficial talks with the illegal Naypyitaw militia. Other ASEAN nations, the NUG, and Thai civil society groups also criticized the illegitimate meeting. (Khit Thit Media 6/18)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 78th birthday was June 19. Celebrations with a show of flowers took place all over the liberated parts of Burma as well as in world cities like New York and Seoul. The overwhelming winner of the November 2020 election, she remains jailed by the rogue generals who seized power illegally in February 2021. Fascist troops arrested at least 50 civilian women for the crime of wearing flowers on June 19, as well as several florists for selling them. (The Irrawaddy and many sources 6/19)
A former member of parliament of the majority NLD party, from Depayin Township in Sagaing Region, turned traitor and was trying to get PDFs to surrender to the illegal military regime. He was expelled by the NLD, and on June 8 he was arrested by PDF authorities in Depayin. He was subsequently transferred to the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Justice for trial. (People's Spring 6/22)
-စီၤ ထံဆၢ
Civilians fleeing the fighting in Karenni State and being received in Thailand. (Thai Public Broadcasting 6/22)