The military council has awarded the Ye Bala medal to Thida Yu Mon, leader of the Pyu Saw Htee group in Myingyan Township, who is responsible for civilian killings and war crimes, according to state-owned media controlled by the military council. The military council awarded Ye Bala honorary medals to 65 women, including the violent Pyu Saw Htee leader Thida Yu Mon, with a total of 151 recipients receiving various honors including Wunna Kyaw Htin, Ye Bala, and Ye Kyaw Swa medals.
Among the recipients was singer Lily Naing Kyaw, who was killed due to her alleged information sharing with the military. Lily Naing Kyaw was shot dead in front of her apartment in Yankin Township in April 2023. Additionally, Daw Saw Mya Raja Lin, leader of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) which maintains good relations with the military, was awarded the Wunna Kyaw Htin medal. The military council also awarded Wunna Kyaw Htin medals to Naw K’nyaw Paw, Vice Chairperson of the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Peace Council, and Dr. Daw Po, retired Professor/Head of Department from the Ministry of Education.
Thida Yu Mon, the Myingyan Pyu Saw Htee leader who received the military’s medal, has committed numerous war crimes including forcing civilians to evacuate their villages in Myingyan District, burning villages, robbery, arresting and killing civilians, and forcibly recruiting soldiers for the military. In October last year, the Pyu Saw Htee group led by Thida Yu Mon killed a grocery store owner and robbed jewelry and money in Myingyan Township.
The military leader Min Aung Hlaing also awarded medals to Soe Myat Thu Zar, May Thanzar Oo, and Swe Zin Htike, who participate in pro-military events. Additionally, numerous Non-CDM staff under the military council were awarded management excellence medals. Activists point out that such awards by the military council amount to encouraging crimes against civilian populations.
