Myanmar militias revel after attempted drone attacks on junta’s stronghold in capital

YANGON: Anti-junta forces in Myanmar attempted coordinated drone attacks on military facilities in its capital on Thursday, army TV and a parallel government said, in a brazen challenge to a military struggling to govern and fighting battles on multiple fronts.

Military-run Myawaddy TV said in its nighttime news bulletin an attempt by “terrorists” to destroy “important locations” in Naypyitaw had been foiled, with 13 fixed-wing drones shot down, four carrying explosives.

Myawaddy said there were no casualties or destruction to property and showed an image of nine small drones, some damaged.

The attack could dent the credibility of a well-equipped military that sees itself as the sole protector of Myanmar’s sovereignty, and regards Naypyitaw as its fortress, as it faces its biggest test since first taking control of the former British colony in 1962.

The National Unity Government (NUG), an alliance of anti-junta groups formed to undermine army rule after a 2021 coup, said “simultaneously executed, coordinated drone attacks” were carried out by its armed affiliate, the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), on the military’s headquarters and an air force base.

It did not say if the targets were hit but said preliminary reports indicated there were casualties.

Naypyitaw is the seat of power for the military government and home to much of its defence hardware, built in a remote area of central Myanmar two decades ago by the previous junta that ruled for 22 years.