Reign of the Resistance: Myanmar’s Ye Belu Strikes Back

Urban Resistance Group: Ye Belu

Ye Belu, an urban resistance group in Myanmar, claimed responsibility for a carefully executed attack on the Myawaddy Bank in Ye Town, Mon State. The group alleges that the attack resulted in the death of five regime soldiers. As part of their anti-regime operations, this attack was designed to avoid civilian casualties, a move that has significantly boosted their popularity among the citizens of Myanmar. The group had previously claimed responsibility for the assassination of a senior police officer, Captain Myint Lwin, further solidifying their stance against the ruling regime.

While Ye Belu claimed to have killed five regime soldiers in their attack on the bank, pro-junta media reported differently. According to these sources, only one soldier and a civilian were injured in the incident. The contrast in these reports highlights the ongoing information war that often accompanies such conflicts. However, the veracity of these claims remains unverified.

Rising Popularity of Ye Belu

Despite the contrasting reports on the casualties of their attacks, Ye Belu’s actions have garnered them popularity among Myanmar citizens. Videos of their daring attacks on junta troops and officials have been widely circulated, making them a well-known and popular resistance group. This popularity has resulted in financial support from both local and international donors who are keen on funding more anti-regime operations.

In the past few days, at least 40 Myanmar junta forces and a resistance fighter were reportedly killed as People’s Defense Force (PDF) groups and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country. These incidents were reported in various regions and states including Mandalay, Magwe, Sagaing, Bago, Mon, and Shan. However, like the attack on the bank, the exact number of casualties in these incidents is yet to be independently verified.

Drone Warfare: A Game Changer

A recent drone attack on a police headquarters in a major border town in eastern Myanmar resulted in the death of at least five officials, including a senior army officer and a district administrator. The attack, carried out in two stages, is believed to be the deadliest aerial bombing targeting high-ranking security and administrative officials since the armed resistance was launched. Federal Wings, a resistance group conducting drone warfare, claimed responsibility for this attack. This development marks a significant shift in the tactics used by the resistance, demonstrating their increasing sophistication and capability.

The ongoing conflict in Myanmar, sparked by a military coup in February 2021, has led to a civil war and humanitarian crisis. The opposition has formed a shadow government and fighting force in response to the regime’s crackdown on protests. The escalation in violence, marked by the growing popularity and effectiveness of resistance groups like Ye Belu and the use of drone warfare, underscores the deepening crisis in the country.