According to statements and reports from People’s Defense Forces (PDF), 21 members of the military council forces were killed across Myanmar on May 19. These casualties occurred during various battles in different states and regions, resulting from defensive operations by local People’s Defense Forces against military council troops. The daily increasing death toll of military council forces demonstrates the growing military capabilities of the People’s Defense Forces in their resistance operations.
However, it should be noted that independent journalists and free media outlets have not been able to verify these reported casualties on the ground. Due to the military council’s information blockade and restrictions, it remains challenging to access combat zones for direct reporting. Therefore, these casualty figures are based solely on statements and reports issued by various People’s Defense Forces organizations.
The People’s Defense Forces are not only defending their territories against military council offensives but also protecting civilians from the military council’s violence, arbitrary arrests, and looting. The military council forces have been forcing civilians into military service and using them for transportation purposes, which the People’s Defense Forces are actively fighting against. The PDFs continue their resistance to protect civilians from these forced conscription practices and other human rights violations committed by the military council forces.
