Mizzima
Defence forces used landmines to attack a junta convoy transporting copper in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region.
The convoy of 15 trucks was transporting copper from the Wanbao Company premises in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region when they were attacked near Gwaypintaw Village in Myinmu Township on 21 May at 4:41 pm.
Three landmines were detonated as the convoy was passing. One of the trucks was instantly damaged and smoke started billowing from it. This prompted the convoy to immediately stop.
Daung Karyan, from the South Monywa People’s Defence Force (PDF), one of the groups involved in the attack, said: “After we initiated the attack using a landmine, smoke emanated from one of the trucks. It appears that the driver was injured. As a result, the truck lost control, spun out, and came to a stop.”
Junta soldiers posted at the Myaung intersection in Myaung Township came to investigate following the explosions. They proceeded to shout out insults and indiscriminately fire their weapons into the surrounding area. Fortunately, no defence force fighters were injured or killed.
The defence forces involved in the attack included South Monywa PDF, Nway Oo Youth PDF, Tawthargyi PDF, Myinmu Local Defense Force, Pentagram, and the Myanmar Islam Special Commando Force.
The Wanbao-Myanmar Copper Project, where the copper on the trucks came from, is a collaboration between the Chinese Wanbao Company and the junta-owned Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd.
According to a local source Chinese employees and Myanmar employees who are not taking part in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) have returned to work at the Wanbao-Myanmar Copper Project in Salingyi Township.
To protect the Wanbao-Myanmar Copper facility in Salingyi and to ensure copper production is uninterrupted, the junta has deployed extra troops in the area. Junta troops are exerting their control in the area in various ways, including by intimidating the local population.
On 14 May 2024, a coalition of 53 strike groups in the Sagaing Region publicly expressed their opposition to the copper project.
