The junta is increasingly deploying large attack drones in Tanintharyi Region in its attempts to regain control over territories it has lost.
Since September the junta has launched a counteroffensive to retake territory that was previously controlled by its Coastal Regional Command in Tanintharyi Region, before being taken by local defence forces.
A local resistance fighter who spoke to Than Lwin Times said: "By thoroughly observing the junta troops’ military activities, it becomes clear that they are likely trying to fully regain control of the areas where our resistance forces are active. They first ensure strong control over urban areas and then gradually expand to dominate the suburbs and rural regions.”
He also noted that the junta soldiers carrying out operations in Tanintharyi Region are no longer battle-hardened soldiers as they previously were. They are now mainly composed of elderly veterans brought out of retirement, young people forcibly drafted under the conscription law, and individuals who were unjustly arrested and forced into military service.
During the counteroffensive the junta has also increased its use of large attack drones.
Resistance forces told Than Lwin Times that the junta has formed Drone Battalion 603 a specialised drone battalion operating under the Coastal Regional Command in Tanintharyi Region.
Previously, in Tanintharyi Region, the junta was not using drones, they were mainly used by the resistance forces who used attack drones for airstrikes. But now the junta is extensively using drones for reconnaissance and bombings of resistance positions in Tanintharyi Region.
A spokesperson for the Launglon Township People's Defense Force (PDF-Launglon) in Tanintharyi Region said that the junta is increasingly utilising not only reconnaissance drones but also attack drones in their area.
He said: "For example, when a junta column is advancing, approximately four drones are often deployed ahead to scout the area. These drones can also be used for bombing attacks.”
Not only are junta troops increasingly deploying large multi-rotor attack drones capable of carrying heavy payloads, they are also using drone jammers to counter resistance drones.
According to information obtained byThan Lwin Times, junta drone strikes in Launglon and Tanintharyi townships killed four civilians and injured a further 13 during September and the first three weeks of October.
