Myanmar Resistance Responds to NUG’s Declaration of War on Junta

By The Irrawaddy 8 September 2021

People’s Defense Forces (PDF) across Myanmar have announced an escalation in attacks on junta forces in response to the declaration of war by the shadow, civilian National Unity Government (NUG),

Several PDFs have urged residents to be alert and help resistance fighters as more fighting is expected.

In a speech on Tuesday, the NUG’s acting president Duwa Lashi La called on all citizens to “revolt against the rule of military terrorists led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in every corner of the country by declaring all of Myanmar to be under a state of emergency”.

A leader of the Chinland Defense Force in Mindat, which has been fighting the junta in Chin State since late April, said: “We are pleased about the NUG’s announcement about preparations for the whole country to resist the junta. We can make a move if we push together. We already have plans to force the military dictatorship out of the country.”

The Mindat resistance has inflicted heavy casualties on the military regime in the township.

On Tuesday, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) in Kayah State said there have already been more operations against the regime since the declaration of a people’s war against the junta.

The KNDF has urged people not to be afraid of clashes and to cooperate with the PDF.

The armed group attacked junta troops deploying near Daw Poese village in Demoso Township on Tuesday.

The KNDF and Karenni Army, the armed wing of the Karenni Progressive Party, also attacked a police station in Demoso Township on Tuesday.

Armed resistance to military rule in Kayah State began in late May, following the regime’s brutal crackdowns on peaceful pro-democracy protesters across the country.

The Union Defense and Liberation Alliance, which includes several civilian resistance forces across Myanmar, announced on Tuesday that it will resist the junta.

The Area 21 Revolution Network, which includes civilian resistance forces in Mandalay, Sagaing, Magwe and Bago regions and Mon and Karen states, said it will cooperate in the people’s war against the military dictatorship and follow NUG guidelines.

On Tuesday, around nine firefights occurred between junta forces and PDFs and ethnic armed groups across the country and nine explosions targeting junta forces occurred, according to the NUG’s defense ministry and the media. An estimated 22 junta troops were reportedly killed.

Armed resistance started in late March after junta forces began killing peaceful protesters.

The regime is facing fierce attacks from ethnic armed forces and growing PDF resistance across the country, except in Rakhine State.

In August and July, more than 1,320 junta troops were killed and 560 wounded during 798 shootouts and assassinations by ethnic armed forces and PDFs, according to the NUG.

By Tuesday, over 1,050 civilians have been killed by the junta during their crackdowns, arrests, raids, interrogations and random shootings, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

More than 7,960 people, including the elected government leaders, have been detained by the junta or face arrest warrants.

You may also like these stories:

Pakistan Defense Delegation Made Unannounced Visit to Myanmar Capital

Thai Police Under Orders to Arrest Members of Myanmar’s Shadow Govt

Myanmar Junta Detains Rights Activist, Family, Including Toddler