A UN agency says nearly 335,000 people in Myanmar have been newly displaced since late October, when three militant groups launched large-scale attacks on the military in the eastern state of Shan.

Hostilities are expanding across multiple states. The rebels have captured several towns and military posts. Pro-democracy forces have also been ramping up their fight against the junta in a bid to gain momentum.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the latest round of fighting and related insecurity have reportedly left about 200 civilians dead. It adds that the number of people displaced nationwide since the 2021 military coup has reached 2 million.

The agency is calling on the international community to respond to urgent humanitarian needs, as only 28 percent of the necessary funds for this year have been raised.

Nakanishi Yoshihiro, associate professor at Kyoto University, says that the militants are taking advantage of remote areas and the military is gradually losing territory.

He also says the military doesn't have the ability to effectively attack targets with airstrikes, so that will only result in more civilian casualties.

But Nakanishi says that the recent offensive by ethnic militant groups won't immediately lead to a political shift, because it's unclear how much they can collaborate with pro-democracy forces in the fight against the junta.