Visiting Magwe, a resistance stronghold, the junta boss claimed his planned poll has international backing; he urged troops and locals to ‘do their duty’ and vote.

Locals fear fresh fighting and regime airstrikes, as public anger grows over mediator China’s silence on civilian casualties.

Karenni State’s Interim Executive Council said the airstrike was the deadliest ever in the state and urged global action in response to the junta’s war crimes.

At least two children were killed in the aerial massacre in Mawchi, a town that has been controlled by the Karenni resistance ...