Myanmar resistance forces tighten noose around military

By David Rising | Associated Press

BANGKOK — Six months into an offensive against Myanmar ‘s military government, opposition forces have made massive gains, but civilian casualties are rising sharply as regime troops increasingly turn toward scorched-earth tactics in the Southeast Asian country’s bitter civil war.

There is pressure on all fronts from powerful militias drawn from Myanmar’s ethnic minority groups and newer resistance forces. Troops are retaliating with air, naval and...