Sai Lam had a feeling of unease in late October. Near his village on the Chinese border, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) was massing forces, and he sensed that fighting was imminent. The 27-year-old had already secured a job in China’s Yunnan province to support his family and decided to expedite his plan. He crossed into China using a temporary border pass while his wife and mother remained to look after their farmland and newborn baby.
Days after Sai Lam left, the MNDAA, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army launched Operation 1027, a joint offensive. When fighting broke out, Sai Lam’s family fled their village and returned only when the MNDAA declared control over the area. Though the situation in Mong Ko has since calmed, the military has continued to mercilessly attack other areas. Sai Lam wants to bring his family to China due to the fear of potential attacks, but road access has been cut off due to the fighting.
Sai Lam and others have been interviewed for this report under the risk of military retaliation. Recently, Myanmar has seen escalating hostilities across the country, prompting an armed uprising. Resistance forces have made significant gains, overtaking many military outposts, but at a serious humanitarian cost. The United Nations reported that over 578,000 people were newly displaced from October 26 to December 8, and 363 civilians have been killed and 461 injured since late October.
In Shan State, fighting near Laukkai, a criminal hub along Myanmar’s eastern border, has forced civilians to flee, but the journey is perilous, and there is a shortage of refuge. About 40,000 have taken shelter in an autonomous region, but most are stranded at the border. Those trapped in Laukkai are squatting in unfinished construction sites, receiving aid from local, community-based organizations in the face of logistical challenges and active conflict.
International organizations and UN agencies have struggled to provide aid in the worst-affected areas due to safety precautions and operational challenges. The military’s control restricts access, and many rely on its permission to travel or distribute aid. In Karenni State and Chin State, military air strikes have escalated as resistance forces have made gains, leading to the destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Despite the significant gains by resistance forces, there has been a severe humanitarian cost due to escalating hostilities across Myanmar. The fighting has displaced thousands and caused significant destruction to infrastructure, leading to a dire need for cross-border aid. The situation remains complex and challenging, with the hope that international aid can reach those in need despite the ongoing conflict.