33rd Division Units Engaged in Kachin Facing Losses Ordered to Recite Ancient Royal Incantations, Rear Units Told to Perform Vows

Units under the 33rd Division, which have suffered losses due to attacks by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) while advancing by water route in Kachin State, have been ordered to perform rituals and recite incantations and mantras. This was learned from CDM Major Zin Yaw. Furthermore, rear units have also been instructed to recite vows and paritta sutras, according to CDM soldier Major Zin Yaw. “Min Aung Hlaing has faith in incantations, mantras, and rituals. Even before the coup, in battles, he would arrange for soldiers born on certain days to go first, and for soldiers born on specific days to be near the regimental commander. While these are said to boost morale, they instill greater fear in the rank and file,” Major Zin Yaw, a CDM soldier, told the Irrawaddy Times. According to directives from the interim government army, regimental commanders and column commanders of the 111th and 120th Light Infantry Regiments under the 33rd Division, which are on columns in Kachin State, have been ordered to recite ancient incantations found in palm-leaf manuscripts from the era of ancient Myanmar kings. Furthermore, they have been instructed to tie nearby trees with strips of cloth before marching out to "bind and tie down" the enemy, and to carry a stone inscribed with "Danapawa" for each soldier. They are to report back after performing these rituals. Similarly, rear units have been instructed to have female soldiers and dependents recite the Dhajagga Sutta, paritta sutras, and Pattana sutras, as well as the teachings of loving-kindness, on a rotational basis by company in the prayer halls from 4 AM to 9 PM. It is also included in the instructions to play the teachings through loudspeakers at central outposts. Currently, the units under the 33rd Division, which have been ordered to perform incantations and rituals, are facing fierce ambushes by KIA joint forces near the Second Rapid in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, while advancing towards Bhamo via Mandalay, suffering heavy losses and casualties. The interim president and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing is a devout believer in rituals and incantations, and it is known that he systematically used astrological arrangements such as ordering soldiers to march out according to their birth dates and keeping certain individuals near commanders during military operations even before the coup. The interim government army has sufficient aircraft, ships, artillery, and manpower, but the soldiers on the ground are terrified when facing the revolutionary forces and ethnic armed organizations. Therefore, the morale-boosting measures from above using astrology are causing further anxiety. It is also learned that they have reached a situation where they have to conduct operations even by divination due to a lack of military intelligence on the Rakhine front.