Burma coup resistance notes September 18, 2022
A 15-year-old Rohingya boy was killed by a junta mortar shell in Bangladesh yesterday and 6 others were injured as junta troops tried to defend themselves against the advancing Arakan Army. The Bengali government has repeatedly summoned the junta’s ambassador in Dhaka over stray mortar fire and invasions of Bengali airspace by junta jets, but so far without any change by the junta. (Than Lwin Times)
A junta sergeant from the northwest regional command center in Monywa defected to a PDF with full weapons in recent days, saying that the commanders and troops don't trust each other within the junta army, so it is divided against itself and can't last. He is also disgusted by the way the junta attacks the public as the enemy. He says he tried to defect once before but was caught, and reduced in rank as punishment. (Mizzima)
Ethnic regions-------------------
The Northern Alliance met yesterday with the United Wa State Army. What they discussed hasn't been publicized. The meeting took place inside the Wa State. (Khit Thit Media) The Northern Alliance includes the most powerful ethnic militaries of northern Burma such as the Kachin, Ta'ang, Kokang, and northern Shan SSPP, as well as the Arakan Army. The Wa State is a wholly autonomous (from Burma) Chinese-backed enclave on two edges of Shan State that has the largest ethnic army in Burma, reputedly 30,000 well-armed soldiers. The Wa State has had nothing to do with Burma's civil war, effectively favoring the junta when it was strongest. Now that the power balance is shifting, the other northern ethnic armies may be discussing the Wa State's future status in a reconfigured post-coup Burma.
The northern Shan army SSPP fought 60 junta troops yesterday in Momeik; 3 junta troops were killed and 5 wounded. The two had not fought since July, when the junta ordered the SSPP to leave 3 of its camps and the SSPP refused. (Khit Thit Media)
In Kawthoolei Dooplaya District (Myawaddy township on Burmese maps), junta troops continued to bash themselves against the Karen army Cobra column yesterday on the road south from Myawaddy, again suffering casualties without making any progress. No figures are available yet, but the Cobras say they didn't suffer any casualties. The specialized drone warfare unit called Federal Wings is assisting the Karen Cobras. The action is taking place near Taungni village, and the junta troops are based in a place called Three Snakes Pagoda. (People's Spring)
၍In Karenni State, Karenni forces defended against a junta advance about 10 km north of the state capital Loikaw yesterday that included armored vehicles. Six junta troops were killed, as was one Karenni defender. (People's Spring)
Junta scorched earth village terrorism campaign---------------
Junta troops invaded and ransacked Daungthah village of Pauk township, Magway Region yesterday, looting homes, stealing motorbikes, and sending the population fleeing as refugees. This happens to be the home village of a prominent pro-junta Buddhists nationalist monk.
The civilian death toll from the junta's attack on a village and school in Depayin township, Sagaing Region 2 days ago has risen to 13, including 7 school children shot by junta troops. (People's Spring)
People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)-----------------
In Sagaing Region, after PDFs in Tantse township intercepted and killed 10 junta troops yesterday, they attacked again today. Two vehicles full of junta wounded left the battle scene, but the total number of casualties isn't known.
A PDF camp in Monywa township was raided today due to snitching by a junta dalan. The PDF members escaped safely with their weapons, but a lot of money and equipment were lost when the junta burned the camp. (People's Spring)
In Myaung township, 27 local PDFs in and around Myaung township got word yesterday that junta troops would be returning from a battle with wounded soldiers, so they organized an ambush. Three junta troops were killed in the resulting attack. (People's Spring)
In Mandalay Region, 3 PDFs attacked junta troops in Myinchan township on Sept. 16 for 30 minutes, killing 5 of them including an officer. (People's Spring)
In Irrawaddy Region, the junta has withdrawn soldiers guarding sea exits in the river delta and replaced them with aging veterans who were forcefully conscripted for the purpose. It is yet another sign of the junta's deepening personnel shortage. (Ayeyarwaddy Times)
Urban warfare------------------
In Yangon Region, another majority NLD political party member was tortured to death in junta custody. In Twante township a woman was kidnapped healthy on Aug. 27, and two days later the family was informed of her death. The next day they were allowed to visit the body, but only see the face, indicating that she suffered disfiguring abuse below the neck; no photos were allowed. Then the junta cremated her in disregard for the family's wishes, to destroy the evidence of torture. At the same time, 50 other residents were abducted and tortured. (The Irrawaddy) Meanwhile the bodies of 2 women kidnapped by the junta a month ago have been found in Htilin township of Magway Region. (People's Spring)
The junta has declared a night curfew in the military capital Naypyitaw, and gatherings of 10 people or more are banned. (Myaelatt Athan) This is a sign that the junta feels insecure from PDF attacks even in its central stronghold.
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)-------------------
Yesterday was a day of international demonstrations in support of Burma’s National Unity Government representative at the UN, U Kyaw Moe Tun. Marches took place in Lyon France, New York, San Francisco, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Bangkok, and other cities. As they do every day, marches in support of U Kyaw Moe Tun took place in dozens of liberated areas of Burma as well. (Khit Thit Media)