“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9
Urban guerrilla groups, in opposition to the junta, have been bombing Yangon and other cities over the past few months. While most attacks have not been lethal, attacks like these have become more aggressive as the conflict has persisted. In addition to bombings, guerrilla fighters are suspected in the targeted assassination of five policemen on a Yangon train on August 14th, as well as other assassinations and deadly attacks against junta forces.
On August 30th, explosives detonated early in the morning in five different townships across Yangon: Insein, Sanchaung, Kamayut, South Okkalapa, and North Okkalapa. Most of the blasts occurred at police traffic booths or other facilities in the different townships. Blasts also occurred near junta forces that were lying in wait for an anti-coup protest to begin and another nearby bomb threat that military forces had come to neutralize. Somehow, despite what appear to be strategically placed explosives, no casualties were reported, although there was extensive property damage.
Since no one is claiming responsibility for these attacks, however, it is sometimes difficult to know who is setting off these explosives. On the evening of Sunday, August 29th, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) office was attacked by a targeted bombing. Later that evening, a National League for Democracy (NLD) office was raided by junta forces before suffering explosions of its own. Civilians have blamed both of these bombings on Pyu Saw Htee groups, military-backed fighter groups formed to tarnish the image of civilian resistance fighters by bombing schools and government offices.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for the Lord to bring His peace to this nation and all its people, bringing an end to the conflict and violence of both sides.
- Pray for the guerrilla fighters to know the Lord and become agents of peace for Him.
