Fighting in Myanmar is intensifying more than one month after ethnic militant groups launched joint attacks against the ruling military. Since a coup in 2021, the junta has since been cracking down on protesters and ethnic minority groups, but now it seems to be losing ground.

The joint attacks broke out in the eastern state of Shan on October 27. Militants from three ethnic minority groups have taken control of some towns and military posts near the border with China.

Myanmar's state-run media reports that on Wednesday, top general Min Aung Hlaing briefed the highest decision-making body on the fighting in Shan State. He said that about 6,500 ethnic militants are carrying out attacks with a large number of advanced weapons, and have launched more than 20,000 drone attacks with help from foreign experts.

Last week, citizens gathered at a street market in Yangon for an impromptu protest against military rule.

The military is believed to be moving soldiers to prepare for urban defense. But the protesters are a sign that the military's monitoring does not reach everywhere.