Resistance forces capture large haul of Chinese-made weapons near Mandalay

The Mandalay Region People’s Defence Force (MDY-PDF) said on Monday that it seized a large quantity of Chinese-made weapons from two junta army camps in Mandalay Region’s Patheingyi Township over the weekend. The camps, located in the villages of Mya Kan Thar and Thayetkaing, less than 20 miles north of the city of Mandalay, were both captured on Sunday, the group said in a statement. Fifteen junta soldiers were killed in the fighting for control of the camps, and another 16—including a captain—were taken prisoner, the statement claimed. Photos released with the statement also showed seized weapons and ammunition, including 14 boxes clearly labelled NORINCO—a Chinese state-owned arms manufacturer that has also partnered with Myanmar’s military in the mining industry. A resistance source told Myanmar Now that the fighting continued in the area on Monday, with the junta carrying out at least 30 airstrikes on Mya Kan Thar and Thayetkaing throughout the day. “We captured Mya Kan Thar yesterday after the MDY-PDF started an offensive. Now the military council is trying to retake it. The situation is still uncertain. Fighting is still intense,” he said. Although the regime has not released information about the fighting in Patheingyi, pro-military Telegram channels claimed on Monday that regime forces had recaptured the Mya Kan Thar camp after being forced to retreat the day before. However, a local man told Myanmar Now on Monday that the situation remained fluid. “I haven’t heard anything about it being retaken at this stage. All I know is that the fighting is still intense,” he said, speaking late Monday afternoon. Patheingyi Township is located northeast of the city of Mandalay and south of Madaya Township, where anti-regime forces have a strong presence. According to local sources, fierce clashes have been taking place in southeastern Madaya Township since early June. “It’s happening mainly in areas close to the town of Madaya and in villages along the way to Mandalay. The situation is not yet calm,” a man living in the area said. On June 17, battles were reported in three villages southeast of Madaya. However, no further details about the fighting were available. A report released last week details the key role played by Chinese arms manufacturers in supporting Myanmar’s military. The report, by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, or SAC-M, notes that Chinese companies have been instrumental in enabling the regime to carry out its relentless air raids, which have frequently targeted civilian populations. It calls on foreign governments and international organisations to pressure these companies to stop supplying weapons that the regime can use to commit crimes against humanity, war crimes, or other breaches of international law. “Companies and corporate executives that provide military support to the Myanmar junta, enable the production of aerial bombs, or otherwise facilitate the airstrikes may expose themselves to the risk of criminal and civil liability,” the report said.

Resistance forces capture large haul of Chinese-made weapons near Mandalay

The seizure highlights growing concern about the role of Chinese companies in enabling the regime to carry out attacks on civilians

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