NAYPYITAW, 18 November 2021, (TON): A wave of explosions and shootings in Yangon was just part of a wider operation that is set to see an increase in attacks on regime targets in Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions, Myanmar’s underground government has warned.

The operation, dubbed Pyan Hlwar Aung, was launched following the declaration of a “resistance war” by the National Unity Government (NUG) in September.  

Meaning “swallow” in English, Operation Pyan Hlwar Aung aims to emulate the swift-flying bird by carrying out rapid attacks on junta forces and other targets associated with the regime that seized power in February.

There were at least 14 separate attacks in Yangon, according to a spokesperson for the Yangon Division Command, which operates under the NUG’s Ministry of Defence.

The spokesperson said that resistance forces detonated at least 10 bombs at various locations in and around Myanmar’s former capital, while four direct attacks on regime forces resulted in at least eight junta casualties.

He said “in Thaketa Township, three soldiers and two traffic police were shot dead by members of the NUG’s People’s Defence Force (PDF) near the Thanlyin Bridge at around 11am”

Although Myanmar Now was unable to confirm this report, a local resident said the road leading to the bridge was closed for about an hour at around the time of the alleged shooting.