Interview with the leader of Ye Balu about the situation of the resistance group
The leader of the Ye Balu resistance group says fighting in southern Ye Township in Mon State could intensify this year as the military council strengthens its air, ground and naval forces in a defensive posture.
As the military junta strengthens its forces, the resistance group has also suffered losses in weapons and personnel, but the resistance leader says it will crush the military dictatorship.
The Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA) conducted this interview with the leader of the Ye Balu resistance group about the current military situation in southern Ye Township and the resistance group’s operations to overthrow the military dictatorship.
Q: What is the current military situation in southern Ye Township in Mon State?
A: Fighting has intensified recently in southern Ye Township. The military council is currently strengthening and preparing its defense forces. We have seen that they are reinforcing their forces along the river routes and bringing in more weapons, ammunition and new troops for all battalions inside and outside the town. They seem to be continuing their operations in a defensive posture. People’s Defense Forces (PDF) camps have seen no recent offensives by the junta forces. Under the current circumstances, they continue to use airplanes and take a defensive posture. If we launch offensives against them, the fighting could become much more intense.
Q: To what extent has Ye Balu successfully accomplished its missions since the coup?
A: We have carried out countless missions since the coup. Some missions were successful, many others failed. Then there were failed missions that we didn’t publicize. We didn’t lose any lives in these failed missions, but we lost a lot of the equipment and resources we used. The number of missions is simply beyond counting. We have carried out a number of missions.
Q: What difficulties have you encountered in carrying out the missions?
A: We do most of the missions in urban areas. And it’s not like an open fight; we have to shoot them at close range. We have to mingle with the civilian population before we can carry out these operations. That involves enormous difficulties. We can’t rely on backup forces during our missions. We are completely on our own. No one can come to rescue or support us. It is even more dangerous to operate inside the towns. We have to accept a 50/50 chance – a 50 percent chance of succeeding against the enemy in the town centers, but also a 50 percent risk of losing lives. There are cases where our own members are hit by the enemy’s return fire. So we face all kinds of difficulties and have to overcome various challenges. But these challenges have also helped us learn many lessons.
Q: What about the supply of food, weapons and ammunition?
A: In terms of food and weapons/ammunition supplies, the Ethnic Revolutionary Organization (ERO) provides as much as possible. We also buy what we can with the support of the public. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) also makes some contribution which makes us very strong militarily. But primarily we are able to sustain ourselves through the support of the public. The people support us with food, weapons, ammunition and information about the terrain. So the people are most reliable source of support for us. It is only thanks to the support of the public that we have been able to continue the struggle in this revolution so far.
Q: Why do you think there are more new young recruits in Ye Balu now than before?
A: The influx of new recruits is because, regardless of their participation in strikes, young people were affected by the situation in the last three years since the coup. As they face the propaganda, oppression and injustices by the military council and its forces, the public is becoming increasingly sensitized. After the junta enforced the conscription law, more and more people are choosing to join the people’s defense forces instead of the regime’s armed forces. The reason for this is that these civilian soldiers come from the people and are therefore less likely to fall for indoctrination by the military.
Q: How can young people who don’t want to take up arms participate in the revolution?
A: Those young people who don’t want to take up arms can work in this field if they are skilled with computers. Some who are good at accounting can work in this field. We are not saying that only taking up arms counts as participating in the revolution. Anyone who contributes in any role is considered a resistance soldier. As long as someone fulfills their duties responsibly, no matter where they participate, they are a true resistance soldier.
Q: What about collaboration with other resistance groups?
A: We will collaborate where we should. At the moment we operate mainly as ERO. Given the circumstances in which we have to operate in different areas and sectors, broader cooperation is not conducive. We have our own areas of responsibility and sectors to work on. More important than whether or not we work together is that all the work we do is part of the revolution. Everyone who takes up arms to revolt is part of the revolution. Our primary mode is to work together at the regional, local level as ERO.
Q: What is your conviction as the leader of Ye Balu Leader during the current revolution?
A: My conviction in this revolutionary period since the military coup is that we want democracy – that is my conviction. We are participating in the revolution to restore democracy. Another point is that before the coup, both the young and the old did not want the oppressive military system. Everyone deserves freedom. If we are right, we can speak the truth. After the coup we had to kowtow to the 100-household heads and administrators appointed by the junta. We chose this path of resistance because we didn’t want to live under junta rule. Our goal is simply democracy. Apart from democracy, we have no other goals in our hearts. It is only about the truth and the interests of the people. We will build and maintain the best possible defense and security for the people. We will restore the true democratic system.
Q: When do you think this revolution will end?
A: This revolution will end the day we completely eliminate the military junta. We have no deadline. As long as we are alive, we will remain engaged in the revolution throughout the revolutionary period. When will it end? When will the fighting stop? It will end the day we completely destroy these dictators.
Sent by IMNA.