Junta drones: A grave danger for Karenni people

To instill fear in local communities, the junta previously relied on arbitrary shelling of residential areas with artillery. Recently, it has increasingly turned to drones and drone bombs, which allow for more precise targeting.

Resistance forces that controlled Mobye Town noted a marked increase in the sophistication of the junta’s drone warfare following its full-scale offensive against the town in November 2024. Located in southern Shan State near Karenni State, Mobye saw the junta extensively use drones to target not only military positions but also civilian areas surrounding the conflict zones.

On March 4, 2025, the junta used loitering munitions, commonly known as kamikaze drones, to attack a village in Demoso Township, Karenni State. Later, on August 28, a war-displaced man was killed in Hpruso Township by a junta drone bombing.

The junta has used aircraft, drones, and artillery to suppress the resistance sparked by the coup, demonstrating that civilians are equally at risk.