The opposition in Myanmar says it ordered a mass drone attack on the country's embattled military in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
The National Unity Government (NUG) said 29 drones armed with explosives targeted the airport, air force base and military headquarters. The military has told BBC Burmese they shot down seven drones, with one exploding on the airport runway.
No casualties were reported, officials said. The NUG represents the elected civilian government previously led by Aung San Suu Kyi that was toppled by the coup in 2021.
Since then it and other opposition groups have been fighting the junta regime, which has begun losing large areas of the country to resistance fighters. The country's three-year civil war has killed thousands and displaced about 2.6 million people according to the UN.
Thursday morning's attack on the capital marks another bold, and rare incursion by the resistance groups who are mounting an increasingly effective opposition to the junta. Representatives from the NUG told BBC Burmese they had planned and strategised with several defence groups to conduct this operation.
“The synchronised drone operations were simultaneously executed against Nay Pyi Taw targeting both the military headquarters… and Alar air base,” NUG's deputy secretary Mg Mg Swe said. The NUG, which calls itself Myanmar's government in exile, has earlier this year claimed that more than 60% of the country's territory was now under the control of resistance forces.
Before Thursday's attack, the regime was seen to have suffered its most serious setback last October. An alliance of ethnic insurgents overran dozens of military outposts along the border with India and China. The junta has also lost large areas of territory to insurgents along the Bangladesh and Indian borders.
The fierce fighting pushed the junta to enforce mandatory conscription in February – where men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 – would be forced to enlist. Observers have said the enforcement of the law reveals the junta's diminishing grip on the country.
