In rebel-held areas of Myanmar, civilians are enduring a brutal military campaign of airstrikes and forced displacement as the junta prepares a general election widely rejected as a sham. The offensive, aimed at recapturing territory lost to rebels, has killed and injured dozens, including children, and driven thousands from their homes in recent weeks.
The violence escalated in late November when junta fighter jets bombed villages in Chin State, terrifying residents like Iang Za Kim who fled to the jungles with only basic belongings. Many have sought refuge in neighboring India, where they live in makeshift shelters, haunted by the trauma of escaping bombs and the fear of being forced to vote in an illegitimate election. Elderly civilians like 80-year-old Ral Uk Thang express despair over the military’s cruelty, recounting past atrocities including arrests, torture, and home burnings.
The election, set to begin on December 28, is being imposed in phases with results expected by late January, but it excludes the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, whose leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned. Rebel groups and human rights organizations condemn the vote as a facade designed to perpetuate military dictatorship, noting that free and fair conditions are impossible amid ongoing conflict and repression. International figures, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have openly questioned the election’s legitimacy, while Western governments refuse to recognize it.
Amid the election push, the junta has intensified airstrikes, targeting not only rebel positions but also civilian infrastructure such as schools, churches, and hospitals. In Rakhine State, a hospital strike killed at least 30 people, and in Chin State, bombings of educational facilities have claimed young lives, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attacks. The military has not responded to allegations of these atrocities, reinforcing its reputation for brutality.
China, while critical of the junta, has provided tacit support by pressuring ethnic armed groups to cease hostilities and secure its economic interests in Myanmar. This external backing has bolstered the military’s efforts to regain strategic areas, complicating the rebels’ fight. However, rebel forces, including the Chin National Front, continue to resist, with fighters sustaining severe injuries and amputations in recent battles.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides, with rebel commanders reporting high casualties and a lack of unity among opposition groups. Some volunteers, fatigued by nearly five years of war, are seeking refuge in Thailand, but others remain committed to ousting the junta, driven by the hope of future democracy. Civilian sentiment is mixed, with some yearning for stability even if it means accepting a flawed election, while others reject any compromise with the military.
Looking ahead, the election is unlikely to resolve Myanmar’s deep-seated crises. Instead, it may exacerbate the civil war by legitimizing the junta’s grip on power and deepening international isolation. For displaced civilians like Bawi Nei Lian, who has lost his home twice to airstrikes, the future holds little promise, and the dream of democracy feels increasingly distant.
In conclusion, the confluence of airstrikes and a sham election in Myanmar represents a tragic escalation of human suffering, with no clear path to peace. The international community’s response will be crucial in determining whether pressure can be applied to curb the violence and support a genuine democratic transition, but for now, civilians bear the brunt of a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
