In the ongoing conflict against Myanmar’s military government, opposition forces have made significant strides six months in, but civilian casualties are mounting as regime troops resort to increasingly brutal tactics in the country’s bitter civil war.
Facing pressure from a coalition of powerful militias comprised of Myanmar’s ethnic minority groups and newer resistance factions, regime troops are escalating their attacks with airstrikes, naval bombardments, and artillery strikes on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, where opposition forces may seek refuge or support.
Dave Eubank, a former U.S. Special Forces soldier who founded the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian aid group operating in Myanmar since the 1990s, noted the regime’s deliberate targeting of vital civilian institutions such as hospitals, churches, schools, and monasteries, viewing them as symbols of resistance.
Despite losing control over significant portions of the country, including key urban centers, the military remains entrenched in central Myanmar, backed by military assistance from Russia and China.
While some analysts suggest the regime’s grip on power is weakening, others caution against premature optimism, acknowledging the military’s resilience. Morgan Michaels, an analyst with the International Institute of Strategic Studies, emphasizes the regime’s precarious position but warns against underestimating its strength.
Thet Swe, a spokesman for the military government, denies allegations of targeting civilian areas, attributing the destruction to opposition forces. He maintains the military’s actions are solely aimed at preserving the country’s sovereignty.
As the conflict intensifies and spreads to densely populated areas, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with over a million people displaced since the offensive began in October, adding to the already staggering number of internally displaced persons in Myanmar, according to the U.N.’s humanitarian agency.
