29th April, 2021 #day88

The air force bases in Magway and Meikhtila, in central Myanmar, were attacked simultaneously by multiple 107mm rockets this morning. According to the Irrawaddy, the attack took place at 3 am and five shots were fired at Magway Air Force Base. Locals told Myanmar Now that six soldiers were killed and 10 wounded but could not confirm this. The air base in Meikhtila was also attacked five times, and bomb blasts were heard from the town. A source close to the air force told Khit Thit Media that five fighter jets en route to Myitkyina are currently stationed at the Meikhtila, possibly targeted. A video taken by a local of a rocket passing over fields and exploded has been circulating on social media. However, Capt. Aye Thazin Myint denied any deaths at an online press conference held by the military council this afternoon. Netizens claimed that these attacks may have been self-inflicted and could not have been carried out by ethnic armed groups due to high security present in those regions. On August 15, 2019, the Northern Alliance carried out attacks at five locations, including the Tatmadaw Technological University in Pyin Oo Lwin, also known as the military town, killing at least 10 soldiers. Photos at the scene showed evidences of using 107 mm rockets.

According to the Bago Watch News Agency, an arsenal of 35th Infantry Battalion under the 66th Division exploded in Thayarwaddy. Locals said they heard about 200 explosions from the site, but it is unknown at this time what caused the explosion and information about casualties. Major Wunna Htay of the 315th Battalion and Capt. Kaung Myat Thwin of the 99th Light Infantry Battalion shot at each other after a drunken fight in Meikhtila on April 26, according to the Burma Associated Press. Locals said that the shooting sparked tensions between the two battalions. Netizens said that Capt. Kaung Myat Thwin got served what he deserves as he was notorious for leading a crackdown on protesters and claimed that unity among the junta troops is deteriorating. NUG has called to accelerate boycotting the military products, according to Myanmar Now. NUG’s Minister of Finance and Investment Tin Tun Naing said that they are compiling a list of military-owned goods and will soon be able to announce. The boycott has been widely regarded as successful as sales of Myanmar Beer and Mytel Sim-card have plummeted in the market.

Despite the growing tension in Mindat, no shooting took place between the junta troops and the Chinland Defense Force (Mindat) today, Chin World reported. Negotiations for the detainees are scheduled for today, but the situation remains unresolved. CDF (Paletwa) was established today in Paletwa becoming the third CDFs after Mindat and Matupi. In Mawlamyine, the junta troops opened fire and threatened people waiting to withdraw money from a bank, according to Myanmar Now. As the ATMs are not working, hundreds of people had been waiting in line to withdraw money since 4 am. The military council has instructed banks to allow a maximum of 10 lakhs (USD 600) per person per week and up to 100,000 lakhs per business. Although the junta-run TV reported tonight that online transfers can be used again at AYA, KBZ, CB, Inwa, and the Agricultural Development Bank, netizens claimed that they are not interested to deposit their money anymore. Myanmar Oriental Bank (MOB) has fired more than 200 of its CDM employees, according to Myanmar Now.

At the junta fourth press conference, a spokesperson said that they could not tell the location of the detainees for security reasons, that the Spring Revolution is being carried out by only a small number of people with the support of foreign governments, and that they will provide security for schools that planned to open in May. Moreover, she added that the AAPP lists are inaccurate and that denied the accusation of targeted arrest against young male. The Council of Europe has announced that sanctions against the military council have been extended for one year until April 30, 2022. Sanctions include military leaders, civilian members of the council, arms embargo, export of telecommunications and intelligence equipment, military trainings, and joint military exercises. The Women's League for Burma, a long-time human rights organization, has issued a statement calling for the release of all women human rights defenders, including its former member and Mizzima Media founder Thin Thin Aung who was arrested on April 8.