Burma coup resistance notes October 1, 2022
Kachin army counter-attacks junta; troops plant landmines for civilians & children to step on; Revolution forces assume government functions in liberated areas.
Burmese media often use the word "terrorist" to describe the Burma army and its actions. Terrorism is defined as "the unlawful use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or government, with the goal of furthering political, social, or ideological objectives.” The definition therefore fits the widespread killing of civilians, destruction and bombing of communities, kidnapping and imprisonment of non-combatants, and other acts used by the junta to try to intimidate the 55 million citizens of Burma into submission. "Terrorism" thus is not a loaded word of pro-Revolutionary propaganda, it is the correct technical term for the junta’s actions, suitable for use by neutral observers. Burma Coup Resistance Notes will therefore freely apply the term "terrorist" to junta actions that fit the definition.
Ethnic regions-------------------
In Kachin area, the junta attacked the Kachin army 8th Brigade HQ in Kutkai township (northern Shan State on Burmese maps) on Sept. 27. In addition to defending their HQ, the Kachin forces counter-attacked in Namtu and Manton (the latter reported yesterday). Some people are accusing the Ta’ang ethnic army (TNLA) of collaborating with the junta, but the Ta’ang, who have fought occasional battles against the junta since the coup, insist they have no reason to ally with it.
In Kawthoolei (Karen nation) Dooplaya District (Myawaddy township on Burmese maps), the Karen Venom battalion says it has been fighting junta troops for the past 3 days in the Waw Lay area, between Ukritta and Sonseimyaing villages. It estimates that it has killed or wounded 20 or more troops.
In Kawthoolei Doo Tha Htoo District (Kyaikto township on Burmese maps), a PDF attacked junta troops at a road intersection checkpoint yesterday with a mortar and gunfire, killing 2 troops. (Myaelatt Athan) Today another PDF also attacked the entrance to a junta camp at Winkalaw; casualties aren’t known. (Khit Thit Media)
In Kawthoolei Beit-Tavoy District (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), a PDF bombed another junta convoy in Palaw township yesterday, damaging a truck carrying 20 troops. One soldier died and 7 more were seriously injured. (Khit Thit Media) Convoys along the highway between Mawlamyaing and Myeik are attacked almost daily. In Yephyu township today, junta troops showed up at a restaurant and began stealing people’s cars. They towed away at least 3 private vehicles toward Ye town. No explanation was given for the sudden theft. (Tanintharyi Times)
Also in Beit-Tavoy District, people are reporting an influx of 300 junta troops into Ye Phyu township at Hnanjeh, Jesutaw, and Yepon villages, where they are patrolling, kidnapping civilian hostages, and firing mortars into areas where they suspect PDFs. (Myaelatt Athan) This area is a chokepoint along the Mawlamyaing-Myeik highway, where PDFs who capture the highway could cut off access to all points further south. It is also Karen army Brigade 4 territory, but Brigade 4 does not fight, so the fighting there has been done by local PDFs.
In Karenni State, it turns out that the person injured in the face by a metal object that penetrated the airplane fuselage where he was riding on Sept. 29 was a junta sergeant. At first the junta claimed he was a student. The plane was hit while approaching Loikaw airport. (Mizzima)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Junta troops invaded Kyaukkok village in Myaing township, Magway Region on Sept. 25 and planted landmines in the village as they left, for residents to step on when they returned. Yesterday a 5-year-old boy was killed by one of them. (Khit Thit Media) This is clearly terrorism, it serves no military purpose.
On the large Yelekyun Island in the Irrawaddy River in Maddaya township of Mandalay Region, junta troops are attacking villages and killing residents, causing all the villages on the island to flee as refugees. Night fishing on the river has been suspended because troops shot some fishermen. (People's Spring)
In Mandalay Region’s Myinchan township, 200 troops have moved into Pyawbwe Sanpya village where they claim a PDF stole 7 of their guns, and they have been kidnapping and torturing large numbers of villagers. They are holding about 500 civilians currently in a high school, where they say relatives are allowed to bring food for them, but local people doubt that the food makes it to the hostages. As they beat people, residents have offered to pay compensation for the missing weapons, but the kidnappings and beatings continue. (Myaelatt Athan)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, a PDF in Mawlaik township fought a battle with junta troops yesterday, killing 8 of them including a captain; sources at the local hospital also spoke of many wounded, including a Pyu Saw Htee terrorist leader. The PDF captured the weapons of the 8 dead. (Khit Thit Media) Mawlaik has not seen much fighting, so yesterday’s attack represents a broadening of PDF activity.
In Sagaing township, four collaborating PDFs fired locally-made 40mm mortars and rifles into a police barracks in Sahtaung town today, killing 4 junta police who had been strong-arming citizens and extorting money. (Than Lwin Khet News)
PDFs have been firing mortars at junta supply boats moving up the Chindwin River in Sagaing Region, hitting at least one of them and causing a fire. Various videos of the attacks are circulating on social media.
In Magway Region, a coalition of 10 PDFs jointly attacked a junta/Pyu Saw Htee terrorist camp of about 80 operatives at Minywa in Yesagyo township three days ago Sept. 28. After firing locally-made 60mm and 120mm mortars and small arms for an hour, the PDFs entered the camp, and claim that there were many junta casualties, though no number has been reported. (Mizzima)
A junta convoy of one truck and 7 motorcycles in Laungshey township, more than 30 troops, was ambushed by a PDF with 8 roadside bombs yesterday, which killed 2 and wounded others, some with amputations. The truck was disabled, and another one had to come pick up the survivors.
The liberation government in Pauk township bulldozed the police station building in Thayetkan that was abandoned by retreating junta troops and police, to prevent them returning and re-occupying it. (Khit Thit Media) Junta police have pulled out of rural stations in the largely liberated townships of Sagaing and Magway Regions.
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, an urban PDF bombed a junta admin office in Mingaladon township last night.
In Monywa city, capital of Sagaing Region, an urban PDF attacked junta troops camped at the Monywa University of Economics and guarding the junta-owned Myanma Economic Bank with 40mm grenades two days ago Sept. 29. Two troops died at the university campus and 6 more at the bank. (Myaelatt Athan)
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
In another example of resistance forces assuming the role of government in liberated areas, a PDF in Shwebo township of northern Sagaing Region caught and arrested a gang of armed robbers yesterday who had been attacking people along the Irrawaddy River in Maddaya township, across the river in Mandalay Region. The PDF seized a large amount of equipment, tools, machines, sound systems, and other stolen goods that will now be returned to the victims that can be identified. (Khit Thit Media) In Tanintharyi township of Kawthoolei Beit-Tavoy District (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), another PDF seized a load of illegal drugs shipped by boat. PDFs frequently seize and destroy drug shipments in liberated areas. (Mizzima)
The cash-strapped junta tried to raise some funds by auctioning some gold on Sept. 29, but there were no bidders. (Mizzima)
PLEASE NOTE: Burma Coup Resistance Notes will not publish tomorrow Oct. 2.
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