Irrawaddy-Jan 10
Myanmar’s resistance forces have evolved into a People’s Army over the past year. Now, as 2023 starts, the resistance is preparing to speed up the revolution and go on the offensive to hammer the junta. It has been almost two years of resistance since the Myanmar military seized power on February 1, 2021. The revolution started with homemade rifles in Kalay Town in Sagaing Region in late March 2021, when regime troops crushed an anti-coup protest camp. From Kalay, armed resistance spread across the whole country. The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) organized resistance forces nationwide into the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) three months after the coup. There are now more than 300 PDF battalions, according to the NUG, while there are still some resistance forces that operate independently. Moreover, there were around 401 Local Defense Forces (LDF) as of April 2022. Currently, resistance forces are fighting the military regime in northern Kachin State, western Chin State, eastern Kayah State, southeastern Karen State, the central Anyar region – which comprises Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe regions – and southern Tanintharyi Region. PDFs leaders are planning to change the mission and fighting strategy of the resistance this year in order to bring a successful end to the revolution. After beginning the revolution with homemade weapons, the PDFs are preparing to go on the offensive. Ko Tay Zar , a spokesperson for Moe Nyo Revolution Force, said that the revolution must be completed in 2023 because the public are very tired. Moreover, PDF fighters want to reunite with their families also. “The whole country must be liberated this year,” Ko Tay Zar told The Irrawaddy. For that reason, special commando training has been given to resistance forces. Furthermore, PDF leaders in resistance strongholds have already stockpiled arms and ammunition for 2023 in advance. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmars-revolutionary-forces-prepare-to-go-on-the-offensive.html
