A consortium of Chin groups battling to overthrow the military regime have banded together to attack Military Council convoys on two fronts in southern Chin State.
“Our Kanpetlet is a small township with a tiny population, but we are united and have fought strongly against the Military Council since our revolution started. We do not have enough funds and weapons, yet we are still defending our land,” an officer from the Kanpetlet Chinland Defence Force (CDF) said on condition of anonymity.
She said there are two Burma army convoys “marching to our lands” and hopes the people can provide them with the necessary weaponry, ammunition, and food rations they require to defeat them.
The CDF’s Khonu Battalion has reported needing to borrow money to buy petroleum to travel to the front line.
At least five of the regime’s forces from the 170-strong column were reportedly killed during the ambush along the Myat Noe Thu curve on the Kanpetlet – Hsaw road at 6 pm on 19 July. In addition, four Chin fighters were also hurt, with some of the injuries considered life-threatening.
The second convoy, consisting of 300 soldiers in two tanks, a joint combat vehicle, and over 20 trucks, is traveling from Lawng Shay in Magwe Region to Kyin Dwe in Kanpetlet Township.
At least 20 of its soldiers have been reportedly killed, and many wounded during numerous attacks by the Chin resistance groups.
Khonumthung News cannot independently confirm the number of casualties on both sides, but the Chin groups reported none of their soldiers died, but some were injured during battles with both of the junta’s convoys.
The mobilization of the regime fighters in the area has caused the displacement of 3,000 villagers between Chin State and Magwe Region. Of these, nearly 2,000 people have taken refuge in Kanpetlet Township.
Many people are living in jungle camps where they need emergency food, medicine, and tarpaulins to protect them from rain, volunteers say. Due to the poor conditions, some have already fallen ill.