Irrawaddy-July 19
Resistance forces in the anti-regime strongholds of Sagaing Region and Kayah State have revealed that they are producing homemade weapons and are asking for public support to keep their arms production going as they continue their fight against the regime. Armed resistance against the regime erupted across the country last year in the wake of the junta’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests in March 2021. Since then, armed resistance groups known collectively as the People’s Defense Force have emerged. Currently, there are 259 PDF battalions with approximately 80,000 to 100,100 members, according to the parallel civilian National Unity Government’s Defense Ministry. There are also around 250 township-based forces and 400 guerrilla forces, most of whom are in contact with the NUG. However, the NUG has admitted that despite spending 95 percent of its budget—or more than US$45 million—on arming PDFs and manufacturing weapons, it is still unable to meet the firearms requirements of all PDFs. The NUG has raised funds by issuing bonds and selling shares in coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s Yangon mansion, and also receives donations from the public. The NUG has stated that at least US$10 million is needed monthly to fund the resistance movement, and its officials have urged the international community to provide arms, but the request has fallen on deaf ears. But they have tried to produce their own weapons in order to fight back against junta troops as best as they can. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-militarys-long-history-of-electoral-fraud.html
