The dissident website The Burma File in London is reporting news of an Army Mutiny and Political Coup with Than Shwe disposed by No. 2 General Maung Aye.
Note on October 1 - sorry no update these two days while I have been traveling. Tomorrow I will post a new Diary to update the situation including photos & video.
Original Report and Updates follow the jump, with most current information at the end.
Link to Burma File - Newsdesk Story
Since Internet service was cut by the Junta yesterday I have been monitoring dissident sites, Chinese sources and Western MSM.
Unconfirmed rumors of escalated violence against Buddhist monks by the army overnight are likely to be true but apparently many solders refused to attack religious leaders and an insurrection ensured.
Separately, a Coup appears to have been organized by General Maung and the army is reported to be guarding the house of dissident Aung San Suu Kyi.
It's now 2:13 AM Shanghai time but I will try to confirm the above reports through other sources.
Hope for the best.
Peace.
[edited to correct spelling]
** UPDATE 1 **
Two previous stories I posted at Docudharma are linked below. Both were writen before I recieved news of the coup but they provide some perspective on the story as it developed.
Story 2 - "F**k you army. We only want democracy."
Story 1 - Myanmar Solders Fire Into Crowd
We have been up for more than one day now and will be offline for awhile, hope to bring good news.
*** Update 2 ***
We have been up all night searching saources to confirm the unsubstantiated reports, but have not acomplished much. Since communications from Myanmar were cut-off more than 24 hours ago and may not be restored for days, it's difficult to predict when we will have a clear picture of the situation. However, I expect within 12 hours the world will have a better picture since the UN Special Envoy wil arrive from Singapore and Press should open a window then.
Before signing off for a rest, I want to breifly report what we have learned from UNCONFIRMED SOURCES. What follows, should NOT BE TAKEN AS FACT:
- Thursday 28 Sept, the Army raided several monestries arrsting some leading dissident Buddhists, some of whom may have been beaten or shot. News of this sparked outrage against the regime
- Also Thursday, 9 protesters were killed when police shot into a crowd in Yangon, killing at least one Japanese reporter; a second German reporter may have been killed but this is unconfirmed
- Unofficial reports estimate the death toll may be at least 10 times higher than reported, British PM Gordon Brown has commented on this
- As noted, a near total news blackout was accomplished and the ban on protests extended across the country Friday, but protests continued and spread to Mandalay
- The character of protests became strident Friday as the number of Buddhist monks declined and students/workers increased, with protesters taunting police and solders with recriminating slogans blaming them for violance against the pacifist monks. Reports indicate the police shot rubber bullets to drive back protesters, who remaind non-violent
- We have troubling reports of a second series of raids against the 10 main monestaries with reports of beatings and shootings that cannot be confirmed, however, multiple (possibly duplicate) sources report solders refusing to participate in this and turning to mutiny
- Rumours of a coup are unconfirmed but would have General Maung Aye in control and planning to meet with dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi Saturday
- The UN Special Envoy is scheduled to arrive from Singapore Saturday, whether this would proceed might depend on the actual situation and any communications with the government
Supposing the above is true, the situation on the ground may be chaotic and casulaties could multiply, but we hope for the best and wish for peace soonist.
I will be offline several hours and wist to thank everyone for their interest, support and much good information.
Sorry for spelling errors !
*** Update 3 ***
Some useful links:
Deep Harm Diary on Internet Service/Blogging
ko htike's prosaic collection (dissident Burmese blogger)
Mizzima News (dissident newspage)
First Post - Burma File (news)
Democratic Voice of Burma (dissident blog/news)Burmanet News (news site)
Conflicting reports are filtering in about the military activity, again I stress patience to get facts under the blackout conditions.
*** Update 4 ***
It now seems unlikely the reports of a coup are accurate. According to Reuters Internet service has been restored but still little first-hand information is available to confirm previous, fragmentary reports.
I personally doubt a coup occurred since no official announcements have been made more then 12 hours after the first report. The situation should become clear today as the US Envoy arrives to meet with the government.
It seems more likely the second series of monastery raids to Isolate the Buddhist monks leading the protests have been successful in ending the mass-protests.
Currently, Yangon appears to be quiet with few civilians venturing outside their homes.
The mass troop movements and aircraft reported overnight seem to have been for the purpose of posting troops throughout Yangon and other hot spots, but clearly there was dissention in the ranks of the Army including refusal to fire at protestors in Mandalay and protecting protestors at North Okkalappa township in Yangon.
Again I stress lack of verifiable information makes it impossible to draw conclusions but I expect a more clear picture to emerge today (overnight in the USA) and I will report again later in a new Diary linking here.
Freedom is Precious.