Myanmar’s resistance forces have vowed to eradicate the junta and bring justice for the execution of four anti-regime activists.
The junta hanged former lawmaker of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy and two other men, Ko Aung Thura Zaw and Ko Hla Myo Aung both from Hlaing Tharyar Township in Yangon, during the weekend without notifying their families. It was the first time in four decades that political dissidents have been executed in Myanmar.
Bo Ngagar, the commander of the Myanmar Royal Dragon Army, a prominent defense force, told The Irrawaddy that they must try to bring justice for the four martyrs and the innocent people killed brutally by the junta.
“It made our revolution stronger. We must rescue our people from these monsters. We must win freedom for the whole country before we die,” he said.
Three Northern Alliance ethnic armed groups, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Arakan Army, warned the junta that the executions would intensify the civil war.
“The junta has to take responsibility for its actions,” the groups’ statement said.
The Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, Chin National Front and All Burma Students’ Democratic Front released a statement with the National Unity Government (NUG), Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and NLD representing the “federal democratic forces”.
It condemned the executions as terrorism and vowed to fight the fascist dictatorship by all means in the people’s revolution.
The Kachin Political Interim Coordination Team, including the Kachin Independent Organization and Chinland Joint Defense Committee of 18 Chin armed forces, condemned the executions.
The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force condemned the executions as war crimes and crimes against humanity and pledged to eradicate the regime.
There was silence from the strongest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Party, and the New Mon State Party, Restoration Council of Shan State and Shan State Progressive Party.
Several people’s defense forces conducted revenge attacks on regime forces and informants, which killed about 20 junta personnel.
The NUG’s acting president Duwa Lashi La delivered an emergency speech on Thursday and asked the international community to provide weaponry, technological assistance and financial aid to the revolution.
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