Myanmar: Why Is The Resistance Alive?

Myanmar's civil war seems all but forgotten by now. Only the earthquake on 28 March 2025 could briefly remind the world. Nevertheless, the brutal fighting rages on unabated. The junta's violence against the population is systematic - including arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. At the same time, almost half of the country is now in the hands of various rebel movements.

In Chin state, the westernmost province, bordering India, the resistance can already speak of a victory. On 24 December 2024, the Chin Brotherhood was still able to capture Mindat township, along with their recent victory in Falam township, the Myanmar army seems to have been all but driven out of Chin state. The liberation of Mindat was highly symbolic. It is where the armed resistance made its chaotic debut.

On 24 April 2021, on an access road, the infamous Musket Revolution began. Using their parents' muskets, normally used for hunting, rebels attacked the junta. ‘With no structure, no commander, no leaders, no experience,’ says Poe Dote*, an ex-policeman who joined the civil disobedience movement and later emerged as the commander of the Mindat offensive. "It is our fighting that inspired the whole of Myanmar at the time. We showed that even with just muskets, with no training, you can make a difference. As long as you have courage."

With half the country in rebel hands, the dream of a free Myanmar seems ever closer. The junta has been unable to regain ground for years and prefers to resort to forced recruitment of young people. Yet the end of the junta does not seem imminent. ‘We have the same goal: the fall of the junta and a free Myanmar,’ says Poe Dote. "The international community must support us in this, including targeted sanctions, such as on paraffin. But whether we get help or not: we want and will defeat the junta. That is our biggest dream."

*Pseudonym for security reasons