Rebels claim they shot down military jet in Myanmar

In Myanmar, a military fighter jet was reportedly shot down in the Sagaing region, an area experiencing intense conflict due to the civil war that began after the military coup in February 2021. The crash occurred around midday, while local media identified the aircraft as a two-seater Chinese FTC-2000G fighter ground-attack jet. Concurrently, state-run media claimed the jet suffered a mechanical failure, and no casualties were mentioned. The Sagaing region has become a stronghold for various armed resistance groups opposing the military regime, which resulted from the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Opposition began as peaceful demonstrations, which were met with increased violence from the military, ultimately intensifying into a civil war marked by armed resistance from various factions. A spokesperson from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a militia involved in the conflict, reported that their fighters shot down the jet during a confrontation with military forces. Prior to its downing, the military aircraft had unleashed a series of airstrikes, dropping hundreds of bombs in support of ground troops. The escalation of airstrikes has been a significant tactic employed by the military to combat the burgeoning resistance that threatens its hold on power. Images and videos shared by resistance groups showed the wreckage of the downed jet in a village in Pale township, contributing to the mounting evidence of the ongoing conflict and the military's reliance on aerial bombardments. Reports indicate that this conflict has led to significant losses on both sides, with the military possibly losing multiple helicopters and fighter jets in similar engagements. However, verifying claims made by resistance groups remains challenging due to the restricted media environment and the remote locations of the fighting.