The military council is expanding the formation of militia forces (aka) Pyu Saw Htee for its military operations in Sagaing Region, according to the military council’s propaganda media and local news sources.
“On 2 October, the military council armed the Myoma people’s militia and Kyaungle village people’s militia in Banmauk Township. The military council plans to form new militia forces. The military council alone is not in a position to control the current situation,” a local from Banmauk said.
The military council usually uses militia strategy whenever it faces a crisis, and that the ministry of defense handles it directly, some persons close to the military council said.
A person who attended the ceremony to arm Myoma people’s militia force said: “The Tactical Operation Commander said the militia forces are not under the control of the army and police. The ministry of defense directly controls it.”
Pyu Saw Htee (aka) members of People’s Militia Force conduct joint military operations with the military council, local defense forces frequently revealed.
The military council is using the strategy of people-to-people control. The heads of the military council themselves are emphasizing the militia strategy, some regional military observers close to the military council said.
On October 5, a ceremony to provide rations and cash for the members of Pyu Saw Htee (aka) the militia (resident) in Kanbalu and Shwebo was held, with the attendance of Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw and North-Western Commander Major-General Than Htike.
The exact number of Pyu Saw Htee (aka) militias is not known as there is no official release of how many militias there are in Sagaing Region.
The number of militia forces led by 550 Sayardaw U War Tha Wa in Kanbalu has around 10,000, according to some telegram channels which share the military council’s propaganda.
Sent by Say Kaung Kham (Shanni voice)