Fiber-optic drones add new dimension to Myanmar's civil war

Both sides are turning to cable-operated UAVs that are immune to jammers

Members of the Chinland Defense Force-Hakha prepare a fiber-optic drone in Chin state, Myanmar, on March 20. The group blurred the faces to protect the individuals' identities. (Photo by Chinland Defense Force-Hakha)

BANGKOK -- The recorded video feed from the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) showed the explosives-packed "suicide drone" careering toward a few dozen people gathered outside a drab yellow building in western Myanmar's Chin state before abruptly cutting out just over their heads.