Thway Thout
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Yangon Region
Taunggyi
| Thway Thout | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 2022–present |
| Split from | Pyusawhti militias (alleged, unconfirmed) |
| Active regions | Mandalay Region Yangon Region Taunggyi |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Allies | State allies
|
| Opponents | State opponents
Non-state opponents |
| Battles and wars | Internal conflict in Myanmar |
The Thway Thout A Pwe or Thway Thauk Apwe (Burmese: သွေးသောက်အဖွဲ့, lit. 'blood drinkers' group'') are a death squad[1] active in Myanmar's central Mandalay Region since the Myanmar civil war. Emerging in early 2022, the Thway Thout's ideology beyond support for the Tatmadaw and opposition to the National League for Democracy remains uncertain. The group has claimed responsibility for the killing of several NLD members and activists since its foundation.
The ideology of the Thway Thout can be described as ultranationalist with support for the military junta. Radio Free Asia has alleged that the group may be diverse, including former members of the Pyusawhti militias, followers of the Patriotic Association of Myanmar, and supporters of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, as well as family members of individuals killed by the resistance forces for collaboration with the Tatmadaw.[2] According to Al Jazeera English, the group has ties to ultranationalist Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu.[3] The primary position of the Thway Thout is in support of the Tatmadaw, and it has threatened to kill journalists who report critically on the military government.[4]
The first reference to the Thway Thout dates to 21 April 2022, when pro-government social media personality Han Nyein Oo shared a statement by the group announcing the beginning of "Operation Red". Four days after this, the group began posting images of killed members of the National League for Democracy on its Telegram channel.[5]