Revolutionary forces unanimously spoke out that many urban guerilla (UG) forces were arrested in the past two years of Spring Revolution, and they received lesser assistance for public, causing hardships for survival.
Due to the lack of cash assistance, some urban guerilla forces were arrested and they had to cancel their missions. Some UG forces had returned to ethnic controlled areas.
This interview with Taungthaman who is an official of Myothit Dagon People Defense Force is the challenges of urban guerilla forces, their needs for more operations and the success of urban revolution.
TLT: Why were urban guerilla forces frequently arrested these days?
MFPDF: Urban guerilla forces were frequently arrested because we are carrying out more missions and the military has changed its strategy. They will try to arrest all the UG forces. While the revolutionary forces are warning to attack defence lines and it is difficult time to conduct offensives at the frontlines, the military troops are stationed for defensive attack. Then, UG forces were arrested more frequently. There are also other reasons.
TLT: What are the ongoing challenges of UG forces?
MFPDF: In more than two years of revolution, urban guerilla forces are surviving after they have encountered many challenges, losses and experiences. Our revolution has not finished. So, their existence is needed until the completion of revolution. It has been more difficult to carry out missions in Yangon. However, assistance from the public is needed. Details of challenges should not be publicized. Public should expand our space for more missions.
TLT: Despite some losses, why are urban guerilla forces needed for urban revolution?
MFPDF: Many urban guerilla forces were arrested. Some UG forces abandoned urban areas. More missions were cancelled. Lesser number of UG forces are needed than PDFs for the missions. The role of UG is very crucial in armed revolution, it is a backbone. Without urban guerilla forces, ordinary warfare, defensive war and offensive to urban areas will not be successful and will suffer losses. Revolutionary forces and people should know this concept. Operations of urban guerillas play vital role in offensives, especially in urban areas. If urban guerillas were neglected, the situations of revolution will change.
TLT: What are the developments in urban revolution after two years?
MFPDF: All the UG forces are facing hardships. The main issue is public opinion on UG forces does not meet actual situation. We are facing more challenges for survival. Moreover, the enemy (military) has changed their strategy, while we have not made the change significantly. People were very close to our UG in the past years in terms of financial and moral supports. Their support has gradually declined recently. It is an alarming change.
MFPDF: Can you measures the success of urban revolution?
MFPDF: In my personal view, the urban revolution has not been successful, although we are trying for certain improvements amid some risks. For example, public has voiced that situations in Yangon and other cities have returned to normalcy, while offensives to local defence forces have increased. We can review the situations from airstrikes in central areas and ethnic areas of the country. As urban guerilla forces failed to conduct effective missions, the military increased their offensives to the front lines. However, it is concluded that the existing development is better than that of 1988 revolution.
TLT: What is your concluding remark as a UG force to the public?
MFPDF: I want to give a message to the public that our missions need close cooperation of public. UG forces are close to public, and that help them. Contact with them. Without UG forces, people will encounter more oppression. We are standing closely with the public. But we do not get support from the public.
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