Myanmar Military Escalates 5-Year Civil War With Airstrikes and Raids After 2021 Coup
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24
Myanmar Military Escalates 5-Year Civil War With Airstrikes and Raids After 2021 Coup
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24
Summary
Nearly five years after the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s war has deepened into what the report describes as an apocalypse, with the military intensifying attacks on both rebels and civilians.
In central Anyar, rebel leader Dr. Lone Lone and his fighters spent three days dodging drones, fighter jets, attack helicopters and paraglider bombers while moving through villages hit by howitzers or burned down.
Rebel forces across Myanmar’s heartland remain outgunned and undermanned, while civilians backing them face unrelenting military raids as the generals tighten army rule.
The conflict in the nation of about 50 million has drawn far less global attention than wars in Iran, Ukraine and Lebanon, even as Myanmar’s political reforms have been erased and the humanitarian crisis has widened.
Despite controlling half the country, why are Myanmar's rebel forces facing collapse?
Why has the world ignored an apocalypse that has displaced millions in Myanmar?
With Russian jets fueling the junta's war, can Myanmar's outgunned resistance survive?
Myanmar’s Civil War: 93,000 Dead, Entrenched Stalemate, and the Rising Humanitarian Crisis (2021–2026)
Overview
Myanmar's civil war has sharply intensified since the 2021 military coup, as resistance forces and ethnic rebel armies have gained significant ground, taking control of 144 townships and actively attacking the junta in 79 more. In response to these substantial territorial losses, the military junta has escalated its air campaign, but its control has shrunk to just 107 townships. This shift in power has led to devastating consequences for civilians, with increased airstrikes causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The ongoing conflict highlights the junta's weakening grip and the growing strength of the resistance.