Myanmar Military Changes War Strategy Using Drones and Mass Attacks

Post by : Saif Nasser

Myanmar’s military government has changed how it fights the country’s long and violent civil war. After suffering defeats and losing large areas to resistance groups, the junta is now using stronger and harsher tactics to fight back. These include forcing young people into military service, expanding the use of drones, and sending soldiers forward in large groups to overwhelm rebel positions.

Rebel fighters who faced these attacks in central Myanmar said the fighting was extremely intense. For several days, their positions were hit by heavy artillery and drone strikes. After the air attacks, waves of soldiers moved forward, often without stopping even when casualties were high. Some rebels said they had never seen the military fight in this way before. Eventually, the pressure became too much, and they were forced to withdraw to safer areas.

The conflict in Myanmar began after the military seized power in 2021, removing the elected government. Since then, fighting has spread across the country. Armed resistance groups have taken control of many towns and border regions, especially after a major rebel offensive in late 2023. That offensive badly damaged the military and exposed weaknesses in its command and training. Many believed the junta was losing its grip.

Over the past year, however, the military has slowly reorganised. In early 2024, it announced compulsory military service, bringing tens of thousands of new recruits into its ranks. While many of these recruits lack proper training and morale, their large numbers have allowed the military to keep launching attacks and replace fallen soldiers quickly.

At the same time, the military replaced many officers who had little battlefield experience with more seasoned commanders. Units now receive better rest between deployments, making them more effective in combat. These changes have helped the military fight in a more organised and sustained way than before.

Drones have become a key tool for the junta. The military now uses different types of unmanned aircraft to watch enemy movements, guide airstrikes, and carry out direct attacks. This has made air operations more accurate and deadly. Rebel groups also use drones, but they do not have advanced equipment to block or defend against the military’s drones, leaving them exposed.

Another important change is faster decision-making. Lower-level commanders can now call for air support more easily, allowing the military to strike rebel positions quickly before ground troops advance. This has improved coordination between air and land forces.

China has also played a quiet but powerful role. Beijing wants stability along its border and continues to see Myanmar’s military as a key partner. Chinese pressure has helped push some armed groups into ceasefires and has reduced the flow of weapons and money to others. In some areas, rebel forces have been forced to stop fighting due to shortages.

These developments have allowed the junta to regain some territory, but its gains are limited and uneven. Many resistance groups remain strong, and no side fully controls the country. The fighting stretches across a wide area, from the Chinese border to the Bay of Bengal.

The military’s renewed push comes as it plans to hold a general election later this month. International organisations and rights groups say the vote will not be fair, as key opposition leaders remain in jail and many parties are refusing to take part. For many people, the election does not change the reality of war and hardship.

Myanmar’s future remains uncertain. The military’s new tactics may slow its decline, but they have also increased suffering for civilians. Forced conscription, airstrikes, and ongoing fighting have deepened the country’s crisis. Without meaningful dialogue and peace efforts, Myanmar is likely to face continued violence in the years ahead.