Security tightened as new armed groups emerge in Mon State

September 27, 2021

HURFOM: A number of new armed groups have attacked the military council and its bureaucracy

over the past few months in Mon State. In response the military council has tightened its security efforts.

The new armed groups include the Mon People’s Defense Force (MPDF), the Ye People’s Defense Force (YPDF), the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) and a Ye Special Task Force (YSTF). Each of these armed groups is new, and targeting their attacks on the military council and some of their business operations.

“At the moment, telecom towers have been targeted with explosives resulting in military communication being interrupted. In response security has been tightened. This can be a new normal for us. Everyone is being questioned at (at the checkpoints)… travelers and workers are in trouble. An hour journey will take two hours long,” said a driver who has transported goods from Mawlamyine to Ye.

Explosions are now occurring nearly every day in Mawlamyine and Ye. The military has tightened the security at the entrance of these cities.

“They checked before but not too much. Now, the security has been really really tightened and there are more and more check points. In Thanbyuzayat, we’ve been checked again and again,” said a social worker who was transporting oxygen cylinders from Thanbyuzayat to Mudon.

On September 20, 2021, the military arrested 12 young people at Phaung Sein Toll Gate in Mudon. The arrests were based on claims, they carried documents and photos, on cell phones, indicating support for the National Unity Government (NUG). The youth are being detained at the Thanbyuzayat Police station.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News