Myanmar Spring Chronicle – May 17 Scenes
MoeMaKa, May 18, 2024
The various hardships and dangers accompanying the war
Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war for seven decades, even before the 2021 military coup. It holds the record for the world’s longest-running civil war, with conflicts between the government and numerous ethnic armed groups.
During the Cold War, Western countries, fearing the spread of communism, supported dictators like Ne Win, who led a military coup in 1962. This external encouragement contributed to the prolonged civil war, driven by political, economic, cultural, and resource inequalities.
The war following the 2021 coup is the most widespread and severe, with the National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed groups aiming to end military dictatorship. These groups, including the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), have gained public support, allowing them to recruit and arm new troops.
Two and a half years after the coup, Myanmar is in a full-scale civil war, affecting every family and individual. Civilians face injuries, deaths, accusations of supporting armed forces, and destruction of livelihoods. The war has led to unprecedented economic hardships, with the price of rice tripling and reaching even higher in blocked areas.
The conscription law enacted in early 2023 has exacerbated the situation, with parents fearing their children will be conscripted and sent to fight. The daily toll of deaths from artillery and landmines adds to the war’s devastation.
Despite aiming for long-term peace and development, the civil war’s immediate impacts are severe. Winning militarily is essential, but preventing new militarism and fostering sustainable governance is equally crucial.