A total of 47 comrades of the Demoso People's Defense Force (DMO-PDF) in Karenni State paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Spring Revolution, which was sparked by the Myanmar Military's infamous coup, DMO-PDF announced. Their young lives have been prematurely ended by the tragedy of war.
DMO-PDF announced the heartbreaking loss of 47 comrades who sacrificed their lives during the two-year revolution, on May 10th.
The majority of the fallen comrades were young individuals, approximately 19 years old, a press officer of DMO-PDF said. "Most of our fallen comrades were barely over 19 years old, with a few in their 20s, and even a handful in their 30s. Recently, one of our comrades tragically lost his life, not in battle, but due to a direct hit from artillery. It raises concerns that the Military Council may be using drones to spy on our movements.
While there are other injuries, fortunately they are not severe. In general the majority of our fallen comrades are in their late teens and early twenties, and their deaths usually occur during battles”, he told the Kantarawaddy Times.
Among the fallen comrades of DMO-PDF, the primary causes of death were engagements in shootouts, shelling incidents, and encounters with landmines. Particularly shelling emerged as the most prevalent cause. The casualties included a dedicated female medic and courageous revolutionary fighters.
As of May 10th, Demoso Township has witnessed a staggering number of 159 confrontations between the resistance forces, including the DMO-PDF, and the Military Council. During the revolution's battles, the toll on DMO-PDF comrades was severe. Not only did 47 comrades lose their lives, but also 101 comrades were wounded, with 19 among them experiencing the devastating loss of limbs and other vital organs.
An official from DMO-PDF stated that comrades who are no longer able to participate in combat due to the loss of limbs and other body parts, are provided with alternative opportunities, such as engaging in pig farming or pursuing skills that align with their interests and hobbies.
"It would be more accurate to say that this initiative was organized with assistance from abroad and various organizations, rather than being solely planned by us. As for our comrades who express an interest in pig farming, we ensure their needs are met by providing them with the necessary pigs. Alternatively we arrange opportunities for them to acquire skills aligned with their interests, such as computer programming or phone repair. It's important to clarify that these arrangements pertain to our current plans”, he explained.
On May 6th, 2021, the Demoso Township Strike Committee, consisting of 12 members, established DMO-PDF under the guidance of the National Unity Government (NUG). According to DMO-PDF, they have a membership of 4,500 individuals residing in 120 villages. However these figures have not been independently verified by Kantarwaddy Times.
At this time the DMO-PDF is engaged in an expansion of military operations, in collaboration with local allied forces, across several townships including Pekon, Pinlaung, Bawlakhe, and Demoso.K
