Burma coup resistance notes November 18, 2023
The Naypyitaw junta is turning out to be a hollow shell which is shattering under the pressure of massive attacks all over the country. No reinforcements are coming because they were used up long ago.
This week’s action: Northern Shan-------------------
About 178 junta positions and 9 towns have been captured since Operation 10/27 began. In capturing the junta’s tactical command base at Kumlon the Kokang have become the best-armed ethnic army, seizing tanks, howitzer artillery, armored cars, jeeps, a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher, warehouses full of ammunition, plus hundreds or thousands of rifles. Frightened junta troops ran off and abandoned them when the Kokang attacked. (The Kokang 11/12)
Another entire junta battalion has surrendered en masse to the Brotherhood Alliance. Light Infantry Battalion 129 based at Laukkai in the Kokang Region has 126 soldiers and officers, and they all surrendered with their family members. Each one received 1 million kyats (about US$300) and was relocated to a safe area. (Chindwin News Agency 11/14)
The Kokang are closing in on the border city of Laukkai, a haven for international scam centers targeting Chinese citizens. The foreigners are fleeing. The Kokang have captured several nearby junta bases.
The Ta’ang ethnic army has been attacking junta positions in Muse and Kyaukme city in northwestern Shan State since Nov. 12. On Nov. 16 aircraft dropped 13 crates of medical supplies and ammunition for junta troops in Lashio Township, but the Ta’ang army captured them. (People's Spring 11/16) Muse is the main China border crossing, and combat is reported from the border itself to the 105 Mile road junction 10 km away. (People's Spring 11/17)
Karenni-------------------
Karenni defense forces and collaborating allies launched ‘Operation 11/11’, styled after the Brotherhood Alliance’s Operation 10/27. On November 7 they attacked 7 junta camps and captured all of them. When jets came to bomb, the Karenni managed to hit and damage one of them, causing it to crash. It was a Chinese-made K-8 light fighter jet. Both pilots’ parachutes were found but the pilots were not, and the wreckage of the plane was found in Kawthoolei Taw Oo District to the south. The captured camps were in Loikaw, Mobye, and Demawso Townships. 24 junta troops were killed and 9 were captured alive. (People's Spring 11/11)
In the following days Karenni forces fought their way into Loikaw city’s northwestern neighborhoods, capturing the university and the prison on Nov. 15 and the courthouse on Nov. 17. The Karenni killed at least 110 junta troops at the university including the officers, and 32 survivors surrendered with all their weapons. Junta 66th Division Infantry Battalions 6 and 425 thus ceased to exist. In a video published by the Karenni defense forces, the surrendering junta troops were badly shot up and wounded. They were given medical treatment by the Karenni army medics and Free Burma Rangers. (Khit Thit Media 11/15) The troops at the courthouse were all killed or they fled. (Khit Thit Media 11/17) Junta jets dropped bombs there and in Mobye, killing at least 20 women, men, and children. Others were injured. (The IrrawaddyB 11/14)
On Nov. 16 the Karenni captured 2 more camps near Mobye. Mobye town is almost completely under Karenni control, with one nearby junta camp left. (Kantarawaddy Times 11/16)
Some Karenni defense forces have deployed to northern Shan to help with Operation 10/27. Three Karenni soldiers were killed during the liberation of Kamlon city. (Kantarawaddy Times 11/13)
Refugees from Loikaw are streaming north toward Taunggyi and Nyaung Shwe in Shan State, but local junta administrators there are denying them entry and forcing them back toward the fighting. The junta is trying to prevent some refugees leaving Loikaw in order to use them as human shields there. (Khit Thit Media 11/17) Meanwhile the Pa-O National Liberation Organization, an ethnic militia, has offered Karenni refugees shelter in its control area. (People's Spring 11/17)
Arakan-------------------
Arakan State is back in play after a year on the sidelines. Following weeks of escalating tensions the Arakan Army attacked and occupied junta 2 border camps in Rathedaung Township on Nov. 13. When the junta sent 2 truckloads of reinforcements from Minbya Township via the Yangon road, the AA burned the trucks. After the capture of the border camps junta troops abandoned about 40 other camps in Maungdaw Township and 2 entire police barracks surrendered in Kyauktaw and Kyauk Phyu Townships on Nov. 14. At least 20 troops have been killed, 30 surrendered, and 10 were captured including officers. The junta responded by blockading all waterways and roads into northern Arakan State and firing artillery indiscriminately in Minbya. A junta navy boat in the Kalantan River fired shells into villages, killing 2 civilians, and fleeing troops kidnapped 10 civilian hostages. (Ayeyarwaddy Times 11/13, People's Spring 11/14)
The AA also attacked 2 junta bases in Paletwa Township of southern Chin State on Nov. 14 (Ayeyarwaddy Times 11/14) and destroyed the city police barracks in Pauktaw on Nov. 15. On Nov. 17 the AA seized another border camp in Maungdaw Township along with a lot of weapons and took 18 junta troops prisoner. (Myanmar Now 11/16, Western News 11/17, Than Lwin Times 11/17)
Chin-------------------
The Chin National Army attacked and occupied 2 junta army camps on the Indian border at Rikawdar on Nov. 13 and are also attacking other camps along the border. Weapons of various types were seized. (People's Spring 11/14) Thirty-nine junta soldiers ran away from a Chin attack at their Tio camp into Mizoram State, India with their weapons. The Chin captured the camp. (Khit Thit Media 11/14) The Indian army then assisted the escaped junta troops with a helicopter to return to a junta base at Tamu in Sagaing Region. (People's Spring 11/14)
After unsuccessfully attacking the Thibwar junta camp on the Falam-Rikawdar road last year, Chin defense forces captured it on Nov. 14. The camp had been badly damaged by drone and mortar bombing. (Than Lwin Khet News 11/15)
Kawthoolei-------------------
Revolutionary forces attacked a police barracks and a bridge station in Kyaikmaraw in western Dooplaya District on Nov. 10 and captured them two days later, killing 2 junta troops including 3 officers while 28 surrendered and 12 escaped. The officers were killed by sniper fire; 55 weapons were captured. The junta responded with two jet fighters and mortar fire from another base in Mudon, Mon State. (Khit Thit Media 11/16)
Then on Nov. 17 the Karen-led forces blew up the bridge over the Ataran River between Mudon in Mon State and Notakaw in Dooplaya District, to block access by junta forces as the Karen attempt to gain complete control of Notakaw town. (Karen Information Center 11/17)
Karen army Brigade 6 is attacking junta positions in the Waw Lay enclave, including camps at Maw Kee, Kanalay, and Htee Ka See. (Mizzima 11/16)
Karen army Brigade 3 and allied BPLA captured a camp in Saw Ti Township of Kler Lwi Htoo District (Shwejin on Burmese maps) on Nov. 17. The junta troops fled and left their weapons. (Khit Thit Media 11/17) Karen army Brigade 2 is attacking junta positions in Taw Oo District. No casualty figures are available, but two trucks were required to evacuate the junta dead and wounded on Nov. 13. (Than Lwin Times 11/14)
In Launglone Township of Beit-Tavoy District junta troops invaded a village and were confronted by local PDFs on Nov. 11. In the battle 15 junta troops and one PDF soldier were killed. (Khit Thit Media 11/11)
Kachin------------------
The Kachin army seized 2 junta camps in Kutkai Township of northern Shan State, killing over 30 troops. Many weapons were captured. (People's Spring 11/14, 11/17) One camp guarded a gold mine that helped finance the illegal regime, and that revenue is now cut off. (The Irrawaddy 11/16) The Kachin have also cut part of the junta’s jade mining revenues.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
A battle is raging as PDFs attempt to consolidate control of Htee Chaing town in northern Sagaing Region. The junta is bombing and burning houses.
PDFs laid roadside bombs ahead of a junta convoy of 250 troops in Salin Township of Magway Region on Nov. 10, killing at least 30 and wounding more than 20. (Khit Thit Media 11/11)
The junta column of 260 troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia that came to try to retake Kawlin town in Sagaing Region was intercepted by PDFs and lost 80 troops killed on Nov. 9. It was attacked again on Nov. 10, losing 20 more troops. Others were injured. At least half of the original column became casualties and the effort failed. (Khit Thit Media 11/14)
Junta troops going to retake Kawlin town were massacred. Sniper shot at 0:30 in this video, then main action at 1:08. (NUG 11/12)
In the liberated town of Kawlin Revolutionary forces took control of a junta-owned Myanma Economic Bank branch and US$300,000 worth of cash stored there. The National Unity Government meticulously inventoried the cash and is taking steps to safeguard the assets of account holders. (Ayeyarwaddy Times 11/14) The Spring Revolution is not an anarchic free-for-all. Life is returning to normal in Kawlin town after liberation. Shops are open and people are resuming their activities without the junta in control.
Twenty-two PDF soldiers were killed after they surrounded and destroyed a junta police barracks in Zeepya village of Pauk Township in Magway Region on Nov. 15. They were then were attacked in turn by junta reinforcements. Weapons were lost. The junta and Pyu Saw Htee lost 32 killed. (Myaelatt Athan 11/16)
Urban warfare------------------
A drone warfare PDF used 2 kamikaze drones to bomb a ceremony at the junta’s southeast regional command center in Mawlamyaing on Nov. 16, killing 2 soldiers and wounding 3 senior officers. (Khit Thit Media 11/16)
Explosions took place in various locations around Yangon on Nov. 14, including Myangone, 9 Mile, and Hmawbi where there was shooting. (Khit Thit Media 11/15)
A Mandalay resistance group announced on Nov. 13 that the battle for the city would begin. Fighting is reported in a northern suburb.
Junta decline------------------
Following devastating junta losses in northern Shan State, dictator Min Aung Hlaing announced a state of martial law in 8 townships there on Nov. 12. (Chindwin Yoma News 11/12) The problem is that the junta no longer has control in those townships. It has been relentlessly bombing the area with jets, killing several civilians but having zero effect on the opposition military forces.
The regime is reinforcing Naypyitaw Region in anticipation of the Spring Revolution final assault on the military capital. It is ordering government employees and university students to form military defense units. (Myanmar Now 11/16)
Terrorism--------------------
A junta airstrike killed 11 civilians, 8 of whom were children, on Nov. 15 in Matupi Township of Chin State. This was a random terrorist attack, not in response to any fighting there. (Mizzima 11/17) Terrorist airstrikes and mortar fire into civilian areas have also killed more than 20 civilians in Mobye and Loikaw in Karenniland. In Maddaya junta troops shot everyone inside a tea shop, killing 13 people on Nov. 16. (Mizzima 11/17)
Political and economic-------------------
There has been a run on banks in Myanmar since Operation 10/27 began. Customers are trying to withdraw their cash, and bank branches are closing because they run out. Other bank branches in or near the conflict zone are closed due to security. (Khit Thit Media 11/16) Many people already stopped using banks because of the junta’s abuse of customer data for political control.
Interim President of the National Unity Government Duwa Lashila urged neighboring country governments to stop interacting with the illegal Naypyitaw junta and to deal instead with the NUG. Domestically, the NUG has issued a ‘last warning’ to junta military and staff to defect to the people’s side, implying that after a certain tipping point those trying to cross over will be considered opportunists rather than defectors and held liable for the junta’s crimes. (Khit Thit Media 11/17)
-စီၤ ထံဆၢ
Very encouraging to read. It’s incredible to think that after so many decade’s the civil could be near to an end