According to statements from People’s Defense Force (PDF) units, 47 members of the military council forces were killed in battles across Myanmar on May 21. People’s Defense Forces in various states and regions are engaging in daily clashes with military council troops, with multiple PDF units reporting casualties on the military council’s side. These battles are occurring as PDF forces defend civilians against the military council’s ongoing violence, arrests, killings, and destruction of property in local communities.
While the PDF forces have compiled and reported detailed information about military council casualties in these battles, it should be noted that independent verification of actual casualties on the ground has not been possible. However, PDF forces continue to maintain transparency in reporting their military operations and battle outcomes, including detailed documentation of military council casualties. The ongoing conflicts stem from the military council’s continued violence against civilians, forced recruitment of soldiers, extortion, and seizure of civilian property, compelling PDF forces to engage in defensive operations to protect the public.
The military council forces continue to commit acts of violence against civilians while also conducting forced recruitment drives, demanding money from local communities, and confiscating civilian property. This has led to daily armed confrontations between PDF forces and military council troops, resulting in casualties on both sides. The PDF forces maintain their commitment to protecting civilians from these aggressive actions by the military council, which has been systematically oppressing the population since seizing power. These defensive operations by PDF forces are a direct response to the military council’s ongoing campaign of violence and intimidation against Myanmar’s civilian population.
