Soldier-spies in Myanmar help pro-democracy rebels make gains

The once formidable Myanmar military is cracking from within – riddled with spies secretly working for the pro-democracy rebels, the BBC has found.

The military only has full control of less than a quarter of Myanmar’s territory, a BBC World Service investigation reveals.

The junta still controls the major cities and remains “extremely dangerous” according to the UN special rapporteur on Myanmar. But it has lost significant territory over the past 12 months.

The soldier spies are known as “Watermelons” – green on the outside, rebel red within. Outwardly loyal to the military but secretly…