![]() Yesagyo, situated on the western shores of the Chindwin River in Magway Region, has become a strategically important township for both resistance forces and the Myanmar military since the 2021 coup. Those who have gone back say that 15 houses there were destroyed, along with five cars and at least 20 motorcycles. Most residents of Letpan Kyin have yet to return to the village due to fears that the soldiers might return. The rest had their heads or lower bodies blown off,” said Lu Lin. “Only two were not completely disfigured. This detonated some explosives that were still inside the car, resulting in extensive damage to most of the bodies, he added. Our comrades fired back and managed to injure two junta soldiers,” said Lu Lin, a spokesperson for the Myinmu City Revolutionary Force.Īfter seizing weapons from the vehicle, the soldiers set it on fire. ![]() They used automatic weapons, so the victims couldn’t even get out of their car. “Around 20 junta soldiers opened fire on their car until they ran out of bullets. The eight who were killed on August 3 were reportedly intercepted by a unit of army scouts as they were travelling by car to Letpan Kyin to provide backup for the resistance forces already there. However, a clash that took place on August 2 left two resistance fighters dead, and another the following day resulted in the deaths of eight more, the sources said. The military reclaimed the site in early April, reportedly suffering major casualties in the effort.Īt the time, the Myanmar junta said in a statement that five members of a local defence force had been killed in the raid-a claim rejected by resistance sources, who said that all of the casualties were civilians. In Myawaddy Township, the KNLA forced junta troops to flee from its base in Maw Khee, seizing weapons and supplies. Serious battles between Karen forces and the military have been ongoing in multiple areas throughout southeastern Myanmar, including along roads in Mon and Karen states. At least six police officers were reportedly killed. On the same day that the order for Bilin was issued, the KNLA attacked the Wah Boe Taw military checkpoint in Hpa-an on the road connecting the Karen State capital with Thaton. “This time is different from that,” he added, implying that serious action by Karen forces would follow if there were to be a lack of compliance on the part of the military. “We have asked them to withdraw from their frontline bases before, if they really have the will to participate in a ceasefire,” the spokesperson said. Lay Kay Kaw-a site of fierce air and ground offensives by the junta’s forces in recent months-is located in Myawaddy, and continues to be the site of a major civilian displacement crisis. Padoh Saw Taw Nee noted that the military had ignored repeated warnings to cease operations and withdraw from areas including Karen State’s Myawaddy Township. The spokesperson did not comment on whether the KNU would issue similar directives throughout its seven districts, which span a territory that includes parts of Bago Region, through Karen State and areas of Mon State, and south to Dawei in Tanintharyi. “We need to go to war on all diplomatic, political, administrative, economic and military fronts in order to take down the dictatorship,” he said. Representatives from the KNDO were not available for comment, but KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee told Myanmar Now that the order marked a further step towards toppling the junta. The junta’s armed forces have been widely accused of perpetrating such atrocities nationwide both since the February 2021 military coup and during the decades of civil war that preceded it. Junta soldiers stationed in the Lay Kay and Win Tar Pan posts were instructed by the KNDO to decide on a route and date for their departure, and to inform the KNU ahead of the deadline if they wished to surrender.Īccording to the order, the demand for withdrawal was issued to prevent the military from committing crimes in the area in question, including the arrest, torture and rape of civilians and the destruction of homes and villages. ![]() They are situated within territory controlled by Brigade 1 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the primary armed wing of the KNU, which, in addition to Bilin, operates in Kyaikhto and Thaton townships in Mon State and Hpa-an in Karen State.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |