Myanmar junta says facing 'heavy assault' from insurgents in three states

Myanmar's junta has reported "heavy assaults" by insurgents and told government staff to get ready for emergencies, an official said on Thursday (Nov 16), while media reported a call for those with military experience to prepare to serve.

Myanmar's junta has reported "heavy assaults" by insurgents and told government staff to get ready for emergencies, an official said on Thursday (Nov 16), while media reported a call for those with military experience to prepare to serve.

Myanmar's military has battled ethnic minorities and other insurgencies for decades but a 2021 coup has brought unprecedented coordination between anti-military forces that are mounting the biggest challenge to the army in years.

Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the military was facing "heavy assaults from a significant number of armed rebel soldiers" in Shan State in the north-east, Kayah State in the east and Rakhine State in the west.

Zaw Min Tun said some military positions had been evacuated and the insurgents had been using drones to drop hundreds of bombs on military posts.