Myanmar’s main pro-democracy resistance group has launched drone attacks on the airport and military headquarters in the capital, Naypyitaw. The National Unity Government’s “Defense Ministry” stated that special units of the People’s Defense Force carried out the attacks, even though the ruling military said it destroyed or seized more than a dozen drones used in the attacks. The NUG considers itself the legitimate government, while the People’s Defense Force is made up of various local resistance groups that operate somewhat independently.
Although there was no immediate evidence of damage caused by the attack, the military’s acknowledgment of the incident at a highly guarded location suggests it is losing ground to its determined opponents. The NUG reported casualties from the attacks, while the military claimed there were none. State television stated that 13 drones had crashed intact, and two exploded in mid-air, with photos showing fixed-wing drones with a wingspan of more than a meter. The military initially announced that they had shot down seven drones, but were searching for others that may have been involved.
The airport in Naypyitaw was temporarily shut down after the attacks, according to reports from BBC’s Burmese-language service and an online news service sympathetic to the resistance. It was not possible to independently verify the details of the incident, as residents near the airport claimed they were unaware of any attack, and the government only released photos of what appeared to be crashed drones. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup in February 2021, leading to nationwide protests and armed resistance that has escalated into a civil war.
The resistance group responsible for the drone attack, Kloud Team, specializes in drone warfare, which has become a critical weapon for the People’s Defense Force units. Despite the military’s superior firepower and numbers, they have been unable to suppress the resistance movement, resorting to air strikes in disputed areas that often hit civilian targets. Drones have become a crucial tool for the opposition in their fight back against the military, with more sophisticated systems now being used to target military installations.
The People’s Defense Force has formed alliances with major ethnic guerrilla groups in border regions that have been fighting against the army for autonomy for decades. Last October, an armed ethnic alliance launched a successful offensive along the Chinese border, capturing towns and military bases. This operation by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, made up of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, marked a turning point for the resistance movement, despite victory still not being within reach, according to experts.
As the conflict in Myanmar continues to escalate, with the military unable to quell the resistance movement, drone attacks have become an increasingly important tactic for the opposition forces. The use of drones by the People’s Defense Force and their local units, in collaboration with ethnic guerrilla groups, has allowed them to target military installations and disrupt the ruling military junta’s control. The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has displaced millions of people and caused widespread turmoil, with no clear end in sight as both sides continue to engage in armed conflict.
