An interview with Kyar Khin Sein, leader of T.G.R Women Drone Force – Myaung
Fighting between Myanmar army troops and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) currently continues in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region. The regime is not only conducting fierce offensives to suppress the resistance forces, but also resorting to air strikes on an almost daily basis.
The PDF has responded to this not only with whatever weapons they have, but also increasingly with drones. Among those fighting the military council’s troops is T.G.R Women Drone Force – Myaung, which fights on equal footing with the men.
In this interview with Shanni Voice, the leader of T.G.R Women Drone Force – Myaung, Kyar Khin Sein, spoke about the situation on the ground in the Sagaing Region.
Q – We have learned that there is daily fighting between junta troops and PDF in the Sagaing Region. Can you tell us what role the T.G.R. is playing in the fighting?
A – We used to attack by dropping rifle grenades from the drones. But right now we can’t rely on that means because the junta uses drone killers or jumpers. We lost a lot of drones, so we started flying reconnaissance drones. Before we launch an attack, we fly reconnaissance drones from a safe distance to check the positions of Myanmar army troops. Thus, we help the fighters by giving them information about the enemy positions. Nevertheless, we also attack with rifle grenades when the opportunity arises. If that isn’t possible, we only conduct reconnaissance flights.
Q – As a group actively participating in the armed resistance, can you tell us about the regime’s attacks in the Sagaing Region?
A – The junta has recently intensified airstrikes in the Sagaing Region. They conduct ground offensives that are often accompanied by airstrikes. They often resort to airstrikes when their troops are suffering on the ground. The junta’s aircraft often fly over the Myaung area in Sagaing. The regime often fires artillery shells indiscriminately just before entering a village. This has killed elderly people in the villages. They have often taken those who cannot run away from them. They often round up about 20 people. When they expect attacks from resistance groups as they leave a village, they use the detained villagers as human shields because they know the resistance members won’t open fire if the junta forces have civilians. These are the means the regime has resorted to in the villages.
Q – Have you been able to speed up drone attacks while the fighting is increasing? What is the situation like?
A – The small drones we’re using at the moment can no longer take on drone killers or jumpers. Frankly, these small drones are no longer much useful. That’s why we plan to buy bigger drones that can take on the jumpers. Once we have them, we’ll be able to intensify our drone missions.
Q – What challenges and difficulties are you encountering on the ground as the revolution drags on?
A – Our challenge is getting weapons and ammunition. The regime forces can use all kinds of weapons. Our unit, like all other resistance groups, lack the necessary weapons and ammunition. So we have to fight with the weapons that are available to us. Our unit still carries out attacks with the small drones, although we’re outgunned. We’re trying to get more weapons. These are our challenges.
Q – Have you been able to expand the current force since the formation of the T.G.R.? Are you satisfied with the combat equipment you’re using? What else do you need?
A – When we formed the unit, we had fewer personnel. It was established with a little more than ten people. But our unit got bigger. We always get a little frustrated when we lose our drones to the jumpers. We can’t do drone strikes because of the threat from the jumpers. Sometimes we just fly reconnaissance missions and come back. We aren’t satisfied with that. But we aren’t discouraged by the situation. We’re trying to get better drones. But we’re satisfied with the use of rifle grenades. Their use against regime positions is efficient.
Q – We heard that some T.G.R. members, including a leader, were injured in combat last year, but the unit fought back without giving up. Please tell us how you managed to get back into combat?
A – We had to prepare the grenades before they were attached to the drone. We had to do that in a hurry before the junta troops changed positions. When we did that, the grenade fell and exploded. In the accident, four comrades, including me, were hit. Another who was standing nearby was also lightly hit in the leg. Some comrades had more serious injuries. One of the comrades (the mine operator) lost an eye and a hand. But we weren’t discouraged by the tragic accident, because we were determined from the beginning to fight until the end of this revolution. Despite the serious injuries, the mine operator wasn’t discouraged, but remained motivated. So what happened to us is not comparable to his at all. I couldn’t walk for about a month and a half. At that time, I was frustrated with myself. If we let that discourage us, we won’t be able to defeat the military council forces. Instead, we resisted this fear and pulled ourselves together with a brave mentality to continue the struggle against them. We comrades continued on our way, remembering that there are many resistance fighters out there who are much worse off than we’re. With this mentality, we also won victories.
Q – Is the T.G.R. women drone force working with other resistance forces in the Sagaing Region? Tell us about it if there is any?
A – Of course, we work with all resistance groups. If some groups need our drones, we go to them and join them. In our Myaung area, the resistance groups join together when the junta forces advance into the area.
Q – Please tell us about the challenges and difficulties you faced in the last two years of resistance?
A – In the beginning we faced various difficulties, also because we’re women. We pulled ourselves together bearing in mind that we can also fight on equal footing with the men, but there were still some difficulties. For example, there were accidents because we couldn’t ride motorcycles as skillfully as the men when we went on a mission. And there were also other unfortunate events. But now we’re more experienced and we don’t have any big difficulties. I think we have gotten used to these difficulties.
Q – What else would the T.G.R. women drone force like to say to other female resistance comrades?
A – When you encounter difficulties, face them with courage. Every time you feel discouraged, think again about why you joined this cause. There have been times when I myself have been discouraged. Being women, there can be times when we feel disheartened, no matter how strong we’re physically. If you feel that way, just pull yourself together and remember that we can do it and keep up the fight. We’re proud of all women comrades. Let’s put up the united front and continue the struggle as we have been doing.
Sent by Shanni Voice.