Units of the opposition Government of National Unity of Myanmar have engaged Indian elephants in combat operations against the junta.

The local media Maun Media reported on this.

The publication notes that the published video captures “the fighting of comrades from the 3rd battalion in Kyaukse district”.

This battalion is part of the 515th Kyaukse Regiment and operates under the direct command and control of the Government of National Unity.

The video shows an infantry company moving across rough terrain. They are armed with mostly small arms in the form of local and Chinese copies of the AK platform, mainly AK-47s. However, light 60 mm mortars can also be seen.

The convoy also includes six adult Indian elephants carrying two to three soldiers and a driver. Their main role is probably providing logistics in the hard-to-reach area with no roads.

However, it cannot be assumed that the fighting in Myanmar’s civil war is limited to the use of such “traditional” methods. The parties to the conflict not only use modern weapons but also follow modern warfare trends, including the active use of drones.

Both the rebels and government forces have already started using FPV drones and strike drones.

The civil war in Myanmar

Myanmar’s military junta, which came to power in 2021 through a coup d’état, has faced strong armed resistance from the local population, which has continued to fight in recent years.

There are a number of anti-government groups in the country that pursue different aims. These include supporters of the democratic government and ethnic groups fighting for their own autonomy and opposing the junta.

The country’s main economic and political partners were Russia and China, which continued to cooperate with the junta after the coup. In particular, Russia supplies military-grade weapons and drones to the country. Russia also buys artillery ammunition in Myanmar.