Myanmar Rebels Escalate Offensive, Seize Provincial Capital

Rebel forces in Myanmar have seized control of the town of Kawlin, the administrative capital of the Sagaing region, marking the first capture of an administrative capital by rebel forces since the military coup in February 2021. The National Unity Government, composed of members of the ousted civilian government, and the People's Defense Force, an alliance of ethnic rebel forces, have been engaged in a deadly conflict with the ruling military junta. Recent surprise attacks on junta targets along the Chinese border have further escalated tensions.