Myanmar’s junta launches offensives on rebel strongholds in Mandalay region

Fighting is raging in central Myanmar’s Mandalay region as the military launches offensives against areas controlled by anti-regime forces, and tens of thousands of civilians have fled from their homes, according to rebels and residents.

The junta is trying to retake Madaya and Thabeikkyin townships — two areas taken over by People’s Defense Forces, or PDFs — pro-democracy militias operating under the joint command of the shadow National Unity Government and ethnic minority insurgent groups, a member of the Mandalay PDF said.