NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: In a rare incident, Myanmar’s military-constructed capital, Naypyidaw, faced a drone attack, marking a significant escalation in opposition tactics against the ruling junta.
The junta reported the downing of seven drones over Naypyidaw, with four drones targeting the airport and three others approaching Zayarthiri township. The successful interception prevented damage or casualties, with one drone discovered carrying a defused bomb.
Following the incident, Naypyidaw airport temporarily ceased operations, indicating the severity of the attack. Despite the thwarted threat, the use of drones by opposition forces poses a new challenge to the junta’s authority.
While the specific group responsible for the attack remains unidentified, pro-democracy “People’s Defence Forces” (PDFs) have been increasingly resorting to drone warfare against junta forces, leveraging commercial drones modified to carry explosives.
These “drop bomb” attacks have proven effective in displacing junta troops, targeting military installations, and inflicting casualties, reflecting a strategic shift in the opposition’s tactics.
Naypyidaw, a fortified city housing military elites and government officials, has historically been insulated from Myanmar’s conflict zones. However, the recent drone attack underscores the expanding reach of anti-junta resistance.
Despite the junta’s stronghold in Naypyidaw, recent losses in border territories have forced a reliance on aerial and artillery strikes to bolster its weakening position, signaling the junta’s vulnerability to evolving opposition strategies.
As Myanmar grapples with escalating violence and political instability, the drone attack in Naypyidaw serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges confronting the ruling military regime.
