Myanmar security services shot down seven drones over the military-built capital Naypyidaw on Thursday (Apr 4), the junta said, in what appeared to be a rare attack on the junta’s centre of power by its opponents.
The military’s ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021 sparked renewed fighting with ethnic minority armed groups, as well as with pro-democracy “People’s Defence Forces” (PDFs) in areas previously untouched by decades of conflict in Myanmar.
Four drones approaching Naypyidaw airport and three drones approaching Zayarthiri township in the capital “were successfully shot down and destroyed”, the junta’s information team said in a statement.
There was no damage or casualties, it added.
Naypyidaw airport was temporarily closed after the incident around 10am local time, according to a source at the airport, who asked for anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.
There were no casualties following the incident, the source said.
They added that one of the drones shot down had been carrying a bomb, which was defused.
Pictures released by the junta’s information team purportedly of the aftermath showed a broken, fixed-wing drone lying on the tarmac and a large piece of debris in a wooded area.
Local media reported that a PDF group in the area said it had launched drones at military targets in Naypyidaw.
AFP was unable to reach the group.
