Anti-regime guerrillas are escalating attacks on Myanmar government troops and telecom towers after a declaration of “war” by the National Unity Government, the parallel cabinet formed by supporters of the arrested leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

General Min Aung Hlaing’s security forces have killed dozens of fighters and civilians and torched villages in retaliation in recent days, according to local media. Analysts said the NUG’s decision to embrace violent resistance against the junta was risky as it sought support and recognition from the international community, including at the UN.

Duwa Lashi La, the NUG’s acting president, announced in a video address last week that the parallel government was launching a “people’s defensive war against the military junta”. He urged government soldiers to join the anti-coup resistance, and “warned and forbade” civil servants working for the junta that seized power on February 1 from going to work.