Myanmar Military Telecom Towers Attacked by Resistance Fighters

By The Irrawaddy 8 September 2021

Telecom towers owned by the Myanmar military are being targeted by resistance fighters following the shadow National Unity Government’s (NUG) declaration on Tuesday of a nationwide people’s defensive war against the military regime.

At least 14 telecom masts belonging to the military-owned Mytel, one of four telecom operators in Myanmar, have been destroyed since the NUG’s announcement.

On Tuesday, the NUG’s acting president Duwa Lashila called on citizens in every corner of the country to rebel against the rule of the military terrorists led by coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

He also called on them to “target the military junta and its assets in their respective areas”.

11 Mytel masts were simultaneously destroyed by mines on Tuesday afternoon by unidentified attackers in Budalin Township, Monywa, Sagaing Region.

Two more Mytel masts were destroyed in Tantse and Pale townships, Sagaing Region on Tuesday night.

Another Mytel telecom tower in Pauk Township, Magwe Region was destroyed and set on fire on Tuesday night by civilian resistance fighters.

Multiple other regime targets were also attacked on Tuesday by local people’s defense forces (PDF’s) in Magwe and Sagaing regions, including the base of Light Infantry Battalion 103 in Taungdwingyi Township, Magwe Region and two transmission towers connected to a military equipment factory in Myothit Township, Magwe Region. In Sagaing Region, the central police station in Kale Township was attacked with grenades.

Much of Myanmar has already been in revolt since the junta’s February 1 coup. The regime’s deadly crackdowns on anti-coup protesters have forced many young people to take up arms. The NUG’s declaration of war on Tuesday could accelerate the ongoing armed struggle against the junta, with fighting expected to intensify across the country.

Since the NUG’s declaration of war, at least 10 bomb blasts have occurred in Yangon Region, 11 in Mandalay Region, six in Sagaing Region, five in Magwe Region and two in Bago Region, according to the NUG’s Ministry of Defense.

Clashes also broke out between junta forces and resistance groups in Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions, northern Shan State, Chin State and Kayah State.

Regime troops also attacked a PDF base in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region with artillery and torched the camp. PDF members managed to escape with their weapons. Locals from at least seven villages have fled their homes following the attack.

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