Burma coup resistance notes October 14, 2023
Burma horrors again obscured by Europe & Mid-east wars; junta jets massacre refugees; PDFs shoot down a helicopter; NUG members nominated for Nobel Peace Prize.
Ethnic regions-------------------
Kachin-------------------
The terrorist regime inflicted another of its airstrike massacres in Kachin State the night of Oct 9. Jets bombed a refugee camp at Mung Lai Hkyet near Laiza at an hour when most people would be there, killing 29 civilians including 10 children and injuring 57 more, and demolishing temporary housing that was full of people. Nothing remains of one side of the camp. (Kachin News Group 10/10) The UN, Canada, USA, France, and Britain issued strongly-worded statements but pledged no action. (People's Spring 10/10) The regime claimed that an accidental explosion caused the carnage. Meanwhile 600 survivors from the destroyed camp are in urgent need of assistance and shelter. (DVB English 10/13)
Nearby, the Kachin army captured a junta camp at Aungja on Oct. 9, after which jets bombed nearby villages 4 times and the junta sent more troops. (Ayeyarwaddy Times 10/11) Intense fighting is ongoing near Laiza at Namsanyang and Aungja.
The Kachin army and allied PDFs also attacked a junta position in Htee Chaing Township of northern Sagaing Region on Oct. 13; details aren’t available yet, but it was going so badly for the junta that jets came to drop bombs. (People's Spring 10/13)
Junta troops got a tip-off from a dalan that some Kachin PDF members were partying at a karaoke bar in Hpakant Township on Oct. 3, and they showed up in cars and invaded the karaoke bar, capturing 3 PDF members. The rest of the PDF then arrived at the bar, shooting the troops still in the cars and confiscating 2 vehicles from the junta along with a 40mm grenade launcher. The number of troops killed isn’t reported. (The 74 Media 10/6)
Karenni-----------------
Karenni forces have been attacking a junta camp in Mobye town since Oct. 9, killing 10 junta troops out of an estimated 40-50 stationed there, with the loss of 1 Karenni soldier. The junta responded by firing mortars into civilian areas. The Karenni retreated when their ammunition ran out. (People's Spring 10/10)
The Karenni clashed with junta troops in Hpasaung on Oct. 4; at least 5 junta troops were killed including an officer, and some weapons were captured. (BBM 10/9)
Kawthoolei------------------
A PDF attacked a junta camp at Chopin Sate village in Taungoo Township, Taw Oo District on Oct. 7. During a 3 hour battle 10 junta troops were killed, out of an estimated 30 to 50 in the camp. The junta sent reinforcements. One PDF soldier was seriously injured. (Khit Thit Media 10/7)
In Beit-Tavoy District, PDFs from Ye Phyu, Dawei, and Launglone attacked a junta encampment in Ye Phyu Township on Oct. 4, killing 6 troops and forcing the rest out. (People's Spring 10/9) The following day PDFs in the same township attacked two junta camps and the residence of the Pyu Saw Htee leader, killing 10 troops, according to them. The fate of the Pyu Saw Htee leader isn’t specified. (BBM 10/12) In a rare action, Karen army Brigade 4 attacked a junta base in Tenasserim town on Oct. 10 in collaboration with a local PDF; the outcome isn’t reported. (Mizzima 10/12)
Shooting erupted in Myawaddy city on the Thai border on Oct. 10, but it turned out to be between pro-junta BGF militia members. After the shooting some ran away. (Chindwin Yoma News 10/10)
The Kawthoolei government (KNU) announced that during the first 9 months of 2023 the Karen army fought 3,500 engagements against the junta, killing 3,865 troops and wounding 2,260, while 112 Karen soldiers were killed and 399 wounded. (People's Spring 10/11)
Northern Shan State-----------------
The Ta’ang fought the junta Oct. 9 in Nyaung Cho Township of Northern Shan State, south of Mogok town. This represents a southward expansion of Ta’ang activity, which was previously limited to Kutkai, Muse, and Namkhan Townships. The Ta’ang also fought again twice in Mogok on Oct. 12, capturing some junta weapons and uniforms. (The IrrawaddyB 10/13)
Since the Ta’ang have expanded their control area and come into closer contact with areas controlled by the northern Shan SSPP militia, some disputes have arisen between them. On Oct. 6 and 7 leaders of the two ethnic forces met and worked out agreements to avoid conflicts and keep their energy focused on defeating the illegal Naypyitaw junta. (Mizzima 10/9)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
PDFs in nearby Kantbalu Township attacked and overran a junta position of 120 troops at an electricity transmission substation during an 8-hour battle on Oct. 9. When a helicopter gunship came to support the beleaguered troops, it was hit in the tail section and forced to make an emergency landing nearby. The total number of junta dead isn’t known but PDFs say there were about 50 casualties and the same number of rifles captured along with 3 rocket-propelled grenades. Two PDF soldiers were also killed. The camp was temporarily captured by the PDFs until junta reinforcements arrived the next day. (Mandalay Free Press 10/10 )
Similarly, the All-Burma Student Democratic Front and local PDF clashed with troops of the junta and its Shanni lackey militia at Thaunji village of Indaw Township in northern Sagaing Region on Oct. 4. Different reports say between 5 and more than 10 junta troops were killed including an officer. An unnamed number of ABDSF soldiers were wounded also. (People's Spring 10/8)
In Khin Oo Township not far away, PDFs blew bombs around a column of 100 junta troops on Oct. 9, then shot at the survivors, killing at least 10 of them. (The Irrawaddy 10/11)
Bago Region is a key central link between Yangon, Naypyitaw, and Mandalay. As the junta’s control slips there due to advances by the Karen army and PDFs, it has tried to slow Revolutionary activity by destroying roads. Twice recently PDFs have captured or destroyed the junta’s earth moving equipment and repaired the damaged roads. The latest instance occurred on Oct. 12 in Phyu Township. (Ayeyarwaddy Times 10/13)
In central Burma, PDFs carried out raids on junta police barracks and ambushed reinforcement convoys, killing over 18 troops in places like Wetlet, Yesagyo, Butalin, and Khin Oo. The PDFs used drone bombs, roadside bombs, and gunfire. (The Irrawaddy 10/13)
The regime tried to send supplies by rail from Sagaing Region to Kachin State, but the train has been stuck in Wetlet Township for for more than a month due to sabotage and attacks by PDFs. (Myaelatt Athan 10/11)
A weapons production unit of the National Unity Government in Southern Shan State is now manufacturing 40mm grenades and launchers for distribution to PDFs. (People's Spring 10/9)
Junta troops raided a PDF camp in Pakokku Township of Magway Region on Oct. 10, killed 5 PDF soldiers and captured 4 weapons, and burned the camp. (Myaelatt Athan 10/10)
Junta decline------------------
The latest victim in the junta’s ongoing internal purge of high-level officers is navy general Moe Aung. He has missed several key public events and is rumored to be jailed like others for black market economic activity in violation of the junta’s foreign currency and pricing rules. (Khit Thit Media 10/8) These rules make legitimate commerce nearly impossible and favor black market trading, and corrupt officers have been cashing in.
After two attempts to tax earnings of Myanmar citizens working overseas, the cash-starved regime announced a new tax on news agencies on Oct. 4. Since all independent news outlets are beyond the regime’s reach, this tax affects only the small number of pro-junta propaganda mills. Effectively, the junta is cannibalizing itself again, as when it rounded up wealthy cronies to extract their assets. (The Irrawaddy 10/8)
During one of the junta’s terrorist assaults on a village in Myaing Township of Magway Region, the parents of a junta lieutenant colonel were burned out of their home and turned into refugees along with the other villagers. The officer, who was a lecturer at the junta’s military officer academy in Pyin Oo Lwin, then absconded and hasn’t been seen since. This happened two months ago, but was concealed by his colleagues and employer until now. (Khit Thit Media 10/12)
Six officers from the Pyin Oo Lwin military academy are reported to have fled, as well as others from the junta’s northwest military command in Monywa who ran in order to avoid being sent to the front lines. (Ayeyarwaddy Times 10/13)
The junta organized a “celebration” of the 2015 National Ceasefire Agreement for Oct. 14 in Naypyitaw and invited all 10 of the ethnic armed organizations that originally signed it to attend. The Karen, Chin, and All Burma Student Democratic Front armies signed a joint letter saying there will be no more discussion with the junta until the war is over. All three of renounced the NCA and are actively fighting the junta. (Myanmar Now 10/12) Only five tiny splinter junta proxy factions will attend the sham celebration, and two corrupt former Karen officials.
Terrorism--------------------
About 100 troops left their base in Kalay city, Sagaing Region on Oct. 7 and were confronted by PDFs a short distance away in Sekan village, where 3 troops were killed. The remaining troops then shot dead a 14-year-old child and a 67-year-old woman and burned the village. (People's Spring 10/9)
Junta troops raided a rice mill operation in Ye Oo Township of Sagaing Region on Oct. 8, stealing several tons of milled rice. (Mizzima 10/9) Such thefts of food deprive the civilian population of sustenance and rob farmers and mill operators of their livelihoods.
Political and economic-------------------
The UN’s Special Advisory Council on Myanmar issued a new report in which it says, “The junta is not the de facto authority of Myanmar. It is merely a junta that is currently in control of some parts of the country. The real de facto authorities...are the NUG (which is also the de jure authority), the [ethnic homeland governments], and other entities in charge over ever widening swaths of territories and sustainably and effectively adminstering local governance and social services.” (Report: “How the UN is Failing Myanmar” 10/3)
The Nobel committee in Norway has recommended Burma’s pro-National Unity Government UN ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, and Burma’s National Unity Consultative Council for consideration for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. The NUCC is an advisory board to the NUG. They are commended for their efforts to end dictatorship and install democratic governance. (The Irrawaddy 10/5)
The National Unity Government raised US$2.3 million in the first day of on-line sales of property lots belonging to the illegal military regime in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, on Oct. 9. Investors pay 40% up front for the lots, with the balance to be paid after the junta is cleared from the property and it is turned over to the purchasers. (People's Spring 10/9)
Continuing its practice of magical economics, the cash-strapped junta promised workers a raise of 1,000 kyats per day (US$0.30). (Mizzima 10/9) This amounts to a 20% increase of the minimum wage, while the kyat has lost 60% of its value since the coup, so even if the junta manages to conjur up the cash to pay the wage increase, it still amounts to a dramatic income loss for workers due to the coup.
Another magical vision of the junta is its talk of building electric train lines across the country. (Mizzima 10/9) Presumably, the electric trains would operate about 4 hours per day like everything else electrical in Myanmar, thanks to the junta’s inability to run the electrical utilities. The motivation behind the electric train push is that the procurement would go through a junta crony company and generate personal cash windfalls for the generals’ families.
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