Battle for state capital rages

Caught in the midst: A member of the insurgent KNDF rescuing civilians trapped amid airstrikes during a battle to take over Loikaw in Kayah State, Myanmar. — Reuters

Democractic fighters in a battered pickup truck drive past abandoned and bombed-out houses in the eastern city of Loikaw, on their way to the front lines of the battle to capture their first state capital from the junta.

“Our soldiers are from Loikaw township and it’s the main reason we are motivated. We are all doing our best with the hope of going back to our homes”, said Lin Lin, their leader.