The formation of the first PDF battalion of Yangon Region of the National Unity Government (NUG) does not mean that immediate military action will take place in Yangon, but it represents a preparatory measure for a future military operationห in Yangon, and it is a battalion that will march towards the city, Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson of NUG Prime Minister’s Office, told Mizzima.
The NUG Ministry of Defence announced on 1 June that Battalion 5101, the first PDF battalion of the Yangon Region, has been formed.
"As a PDF battalion, it's not an immediate entry into Yangon, but given enough time, we can say that Battalion 5101 will march towards Yangon. The well-being and safety of the people are always taken into consideration whenever we implement fighting,” Nay Phone Latt told Mizzima.
Furthermore, he emphasized, “Another thing is that we use ‘people’s militia strategy’ so the cooperation of the people is important. So, when the time is right, we will convey the necessary information to the people through various channels. This includes providing guidance on how to safely participate in war.”
Nay Phone Latt also talked about the upcoming "Alinzet [Light] for Yangon" campaign to arm Battalion 5101.
“Now the Yangon battalion is starting to form. And training, preparation, and arming will be carried out step by step. Following the military strategy of the MOD [Ministry of Defense of the NUG], depending on the situation in which areas we will carry out attacks, weapons are being provided based on priority levels. Soon, a targeted campaign called ‘Alinzet [Light] for Yangon’ will be launched to specifically arm the Yangon Battalion 5101,” said Nay Phone Latt.
Yangon resident Ko Tu (a pseudonym) pointed out that engaging solely in combat in rural areas is insufficient for achieving a comprehensive victory for resistance forces.
Ko Tu told Mizzima, “I hold the belief that merely engaging in combat in rural areas will not ensure a complete victory for us. In big cities like this, if you can rule the area, you will be close to winning. The war cannot be won without taking action in urban areas like ours. So, we are ready to cooperate.”
According to an anonymous political analyst, engaging in combat within the urban area of Yangon is not currently feasible, as acquiring an adequate supply of weapons for the PDF members will require a significant amount of time and effort.
"It is far from an immediate scenario,” he said. “First of all, the challenge is the question of whether the PDFs have enough weapons. They will have to work hard to get enough weapons first.”
The NUG’s statement highlighted that the formation of the first battalion for Yangon Region aimed to enhance the effectiveness and military strategic approach in attacking the Military Council.
Nay Phone Latt told Mizzima that despite the battalion's formation, the existing urban resistance guerillas would persist in their activities, and when the time is right, we can expect significant military engagements to take place.
"The urban guerilla issues in Yangon will continue as usual. At some point, we will see stronger military operations combined with urban guerilla operations and strategic military maneuvers with the involvement of PDF battalions,” said Nay Phone Latt.
When fighting occurs across Myanmar, the Military Council not only harms PDF fighters but also civilians, so some Yangon residents are afraid that the formation of the PDF battalion by the NUG will lead to armed clashes and that the people of Yangon will suffer.
The PDFs, the armed wing of the NUG, were officially formed on 5 May 2021 in response to the military coup in Myanmar.
