Burma coup resistance notes October 13, 2022
Coordinated multi-PDF mortar attack on junta terrorist camp; combat in southernmost Kawthoolei (Karen nation); urban guerrillas drone-bomb junta torture center.
Ethnic regions-------------------
In Beit-Tavoy District of Kawthoolei (Tanintharyi Region on Burmese maps), local PDFs intercepted another junta convoy yesterday, this one 9 vehicles on the way from Myeik to Palaw in Tapo village. They exchanged fire for 20 minutes, during which 7 junta troops were killed and 4 wounded. Afterward the junta troops fired mortars into Yanthan village where they injured 3 adult civilians and a child.
Also in Beit-Tavoy District yesterday, PDFs opened fire for 20 minutes on a marching column of 70 junta troops near Nyaungpinkon in Tanintharyi township; there were at least 3 junta casualties. After the battle, the troops invaded Nyaungpinkwin village and robbed the citizens at gunpoint, taking money and more than 100 mobile phones. Refugees fled from 7 nearby villages. (Mizzima)
In Pa-an District of Kawthoolei (Hpa-an township on Burmese maps), junta troops wounded 5 civilians including children and elderly yesterday when they fired rifles and grenades randomly into ethnic Karen villages from moving vehicles traveling from Mawlamyaing toward Hpa-an. Most of the casualties were in Kaw P’Ree village of Donyin township, Pa-an District. An old woman was shot in the hip, a farmer was shot returning from his field, a child was shot, and two injuries occurred when a junta mortar hit a school. This act brings violence for the first time into an area that had been quiet. (People's Spring) Also in Pa-an yesterday, the local head of the junta proxy USDP political party was assassinated at home. (Myaelatt Athan)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Troops completely burned and destroyed Theechauk village of Pauk township yesterday and today. (Khit Thit Media) This village is in the Magway township oil belt, where local citizens operate small-scale petroleum wells.
Junta army desertions------------------
Another junta air force officer has defected. A sergeant from the Taungoo air base joined the Karenni defense forces yesterday, saying he regrets not having left earlier. (Chindwin Yoma News) He was preceded last week by 3 other air force deserters from Mandalay who provoked an urgent search by junta troops, and whose whereabouts are still unknown.
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, a PDF in southern Monywa township bombed a junta truck carrying 30 troops on the Monywa-Mandalay road 2 days ago Oct. 11; the truck’s windows were smashed but it drove on. Yesterday it was learned that it arrived in Monywa with 5 dead troops on board from the blast. (Chindwin Yoma News)
Local PDFs place landmines around villages to protect them against junta invasion. Those landmines have to be well-indicated to the villagers to avoid accidents, and need to be maintained and cleaned, especially during rainy season. A PDF soldier was killed yesterday in an accident while conducting landmine maintenance in Khin Oo township. Almost 20 PDF fighters have died in accidents with mines, bombs, and local weapons manufacture and testing. (Myanmar Now)
In Magway Region, two junta troops and a Pyu Saw Htee thug were drinking tea in a shop in Yesagyo township yesterday when a PDF burst in with pistols and bottle grenades and killed them. (People's Spring)
In Myaing township ten PDFs spent 30 minutes firing 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm locally-made mortars into a junta camp yesterday, until junta reinforcements arrived. They were firing from a distance and couldn’t quantify casualties. (Myaelatt Athan) PDFs are increasingly competing with the junta in mortar warfare.
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon, an urban PDF drone-bombed a junta interrogation (torture) center in Hlaing township yesterday; troops responded by shooting their guns in all directions. This is one of 4 torture centers in Yangon. The same evening another PDF set off a remote bomb in the employee quarters of the junta communications staff in Mayangone township. Again, troops began shooting, but the PDF was long gone. (Myanmar Now)
Economics-------------------
With the withdrawal of most international companies from Burma’s energy sector, the junta is trying to get Russians to take their place. A Russian diplomatic envoy to the ASEAN regional bloc met with junta business cronies yesterday to discuss investment in special economic zones, oil and gas, and chemical fertilizer industries. (The Irrawaddy) Recently the junta announced a plan for coupling the rapidly-devaluing kyat currency to the Russian ruble. With even China keeping its distance from the shrinking Burmese military regime, dictator Min Aung Hlaing is increasingly putting all his eggs in the Russia basket. The Russians are not friends so much as merchants seeking to continue selling high-ticket weapons systems to the Burma regime for as long as it lasts.
Please note: You can also see these daily briefings on Facebook, here.
- စီၤ ထံဆၢ