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(MoeMaKa), April\u00a03, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n Reports emerged this week that the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Magway Federal Unit government had reached an agreement to share revenues from taxes collected on oil fields located along the border of Myaing and Pauk townships\u2014areas currently under the taxation oversight of the Magway Federal Unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortly after these reports, on the afternoon of April 4, junta forces launched airstrikes using fighter jets on PDF (People\u2019s Defense Force) units under the NUG stationed in the oil field area. According to reports, five resistance fighters were killed and others were injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The oil field area between Myaing and Pauk\u2014locally referred to as \u201cyena-mya\u201d (oil fields)\u2014contains numerous hand-dug oil wells. For decades, local residents and business operators from other regions have been extracting oil there and paying taxes to the relevant authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the Thein Sein administration (2011\u20132015), under Magway Region Chief Minister Phone Maw Shwe, there were cases of misappropriation of tax revenues from these oil fields. After the government\u2019s term ended, investigations revealed misuse of funds, and orders were issued to return large sums\u2014amounting to hundreds of millions of kyats\u2014to the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crude oil extracted from these hand-dug wells\u2014also locally called \u201clet-yet twin\u201d\u2014is transported from Magway to Monywa in Sagaing Region, where it is processed. Rather than being refined using modern technology, it is processed in a cottage-industry manner, producing diesel-like fuel used mainly in agriculture and transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tax revenues collected both from these oil wells and along transportation routes are substantial. While not comparable to jade-rich regions like Hpakant, this area is known in Myanmar\u2019s Dry Zone as a relatively accessible source of income. During the Spring Revolution, it even came to be nicknamed \u201cUpper Myanmar\u2019s Dubai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In recent years, there have also been reports and allegations of financial corruption and abuse of power involving local resistance armed groups managing the oil fields, as well as a figure known as Bo Let Yar, who has been responsible for security in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently, following the formation of the Magway Federal Unit government, Bo Let Yar\u2014who oversees the oil fields\u2014was appointed as its Minister of Defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just days later, several battalions under the NUG Ministry of Defense reportedly mobilized large forces to surround the oil field area in an attempt to arrest Bo Let Yar. This led to heightened tensions between local resistance forces and NUG-controlled PDF units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although allegations against Bo Let Yar\u2014including murder, disposal of bodies, and financial corruption\u2014had surfaced in previous years, there had been no formal investigations or action taken by relevant authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, after his appointment as Defense Minister in the Magway Federal Unit government, NUG-aligned PDF units moved to encircle the oil field area, triggering the current confrontation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This situation has raised serious questions about coordination and cooperation between the NUG and regional governments. It also prompts scrutiny of why action against Bo Let Yar is only being taken now, despite long-standing allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, questions have been raised about why internal disputes among resistance groups\u2014matters that should involve accountability and resolution\u2014are being handled through large-scale armed mobilization involving hundreds of troops. This incident marks the second such encirclement operation, following a recent case involving Bo Naga\u2019s BNRA forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These developments have drawn criticism regarding the methods used to handle internal conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such internal conflicts among resistance forces can inadvertently invite attention from the junta, creating opportunities for military intervention. The April 4 airstrike appears to be a direct consequence of these tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As news spread that NUG-controlled PDF units had surrounded oil fields overseen by Bo Let Yar\u2014now Defense Minister of the Magway Federal Unit\u2014the junta seized the opportunity to launch airstrikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These events underscore a critical lesson: if internal disputes among revolutionary forces are not resolved in a timely manner, the military regime will exploit such divisions to weaken them and potentially seize territory. The incidents involving BNRA and now the Magway Federal Unit serve as clear evidence of this risk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 Scenes from April 4 (MoeMaKa), April\u00a03, 2026 Airstrike by junta forces following clashes in oil field area between Myaing and Pauk townships Reports emerged this week that the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Magway Federal…<\/p>\nAirstrike by junta forces following clashes in oil field area between Myaing and Pauk townships<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n