Earlier this week, 43 Myanmar soldiers fled to the Indian state of Mizoram after their military bases were attacked by rebels. Nearly 40 were sent back by Indian authorities through another border crossing several hundred kilometers to the east.

Myanmar’s military has been battling ethnic and other insurgencies for decades. But the 2021 coup forced those forces to work more closely together, posing the biggest challenge yet to Myanmar’s military government.

The country's military leaders have ordered all government employees and those with military experience to prepare to serve in case of emergency.

Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for Myanmar’s military leader, said late on November 15 that the military was facing “heavy attacks from a significant number of armed insurgents” in Shan, Kayah and Rakhine states.

Mr Zaw Min Tun said some military positions had been evacuated and the rebels had used drones to drop hundreds of bombs on military posts.

“We are urgently taking measures to effectively protect against drone attacks,” a military spokesman said.

The 2021 coup dashed hopes of reform and sparked protests in towns and cities, prompting rebel forces to rise up and seize large areas.

Western governments have reimposed sanctions on Myanmar's military government and called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy politicians and activists.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by “the expansion of conflict in Myanmar” and calls on all parties to protect civilians, a spokesman said.

Hoang Ton (according to Reuters)