The junta is increasingly deploying drones for reconnaissance and attack operations against resistance-controlled areas of Ye Township in Mon State, according to local resistance forces.
The junta had already increased drone reconnaissance missions over Ye Township before it started also carrying out drone attacks on suspected resistance hideouts and residential areas in the township in late January 2025.
Nai Naga, a spokesperson for the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF), predicted that the junta's use of drones in Ye Township would escalate in the near future and that defence forces would be ready if it does.
He said: “We expect the junta to escalate its drone strikes in the coming days. It has already conducted reconnaissance to pinpoint the locations of resistance camps, so it’s likely that the junta will soon launch more drone attacks and airstrikes in areas where we mainly operate. We have made the necessary preparations for that.”
He also encouraged the population of Ye Township to start digging bomb shelters now so that they can protect themselves against any future junta drone attacks.
Recently, not only has the junta been launching drone strikes on areas controlled by resistance forces and their camps, it has also been launching drone strikes on routes used by resistance groups following increased drone reconnaissance flights over those areas.
After suffering numerous battlefield setbacks and manpower losses the junta is increasingly relying on drones as a cost effective way of carrying out operations in Ye Township, according to Saw Dar Ko, the commander of the Dawna Column People's Defence Force (PDF).
He said: “The junta troops have been using drones more frequently after experiencing significant losses from drone attacks firsthand. The effectiveness of drone warfare has also increased on the battlefield. One thing is certain: they are relying more on drones as their manpower continues to shrink.”
The junta’s increased use of drones in Mon State has led to casualties amongst both defence force personnel and civilians in the state.
According to research by Than Lwin Times, since 1 January 2025 at least five people, both resistance fighters and civilians, have been killed by junta drones and a further about 20 people have been injured by them. They have also damaged around 30 buildings, including schools, religious structures such as pagodas, shops, and houses.
Former military officers who defected from the junta to join the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) have also warned resistance forces to prepare themselves for increased drone attacks by the junta as it suffers more manpower losses.
