Myanmar’s worst violence since military takeover is intensifying the crisis: UN

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 05 (Agencies): Myanmar's escalating conflict and worst violence since the military takeover in 2021 are having a devastating impact on human rights, fundamental freedoms and basic needs of millions of people - as well as "alarming spillover effects" in the region, UN officials said Thursday.
Assistant Secretary-General for political affairs Khaled Khiari told the UN Security Council that "the civilian toll keeps rising" amid reports of indiscriminate bombing by Myanmar's armed forces and artillery shelling by various parties.
The nationwide armed conflict in Myanmar began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.
Thousands of young people fled to jungles and mountains in remote border areas as a result of the military's suppression and made common cause with ethnic guerrilla forces battle-hardened by decades of combat with the army in pursuit of autonomy.
Despite its great advantage in armaments and manpower, the military has been unable to quell the resistance movement. Over the past five months, the army has been routed in northern Shan state, is conceding swaths of territory in Rakhine state in the west, and is under growing attack elsewhere.
Myanmar's main pro-democracy resistance group said Thursday its armed wing launched drone attacks on the airport and a military headquarters in the capital, Naypyitaw, but the ruling military said it destroyed the drones as they attacked. It wasn't possible to independently verify most details of the incident, but the military's acknowledgement that it had taken place in one of the country's most heavily guarded locations will be seen by many as the latest indication that it is losing the initiative.
Khiari did not mention the attack but said the National Unity Consultative Council - formed after the 2021 military takeover to promote a return to democracy and comprising ethnic, political, civil society and resistance groups - convened its Second People's Assembly on Thursday "to further define their common vision for the future of Myanmar."
Meanwhile, Myanmar's anti-coup forces have launched an unprecedented drone attack on military targets in Naypyidaw, the remote capital built in secret by a previous military regime.
The National Unity Government (NUG), which includes elected politicians removed from office in the February 2021 coup, said its People's Defence Force carried out a synchronised, coordinated attack on Thursday on key targets in the city, a stronghold of the armed forces.
"This was a success. This drone attack was long-range and a stronger attack than normal. We have plans to do more," NUG spokesperson Kyaw Zaw said, without specifying whether targets had been hit.
"This is a time when the junta is forcing conscription and causing fear for the people. With this attack on their nerve centre, Naypyidaw, we want to highlight that they don't have a safe place."
The military regime acknowledged the attack and said it destroyed or seized more than a dozen drones.