Sagaing Region (Myanmar) (AFP) – Saluting the red banner of revolution deep in Myanmar's jungle, retreating rebels swear to keep fighting for democracy -- but after five years of civil war the cause is flagging.
Issued on: 10/07/2026 - 05:32
4 min Reading time
"The revolution has now become long term," said one section commander of the pro-democracy People's Defence Force (PDF) at a secret training base in Sagaing."Even soldiers who joined years ago are starting to have doubts and uncertainties about whether the revolution will still succeed," said the 23-year-old, asking to be identified by his callsign "Villain" for security reasons.Myanmar was plunged into civil war after the 2021 military coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. More than 100,000 people have died, according to monitor group ACLED.At one point, the rebels threatened to unseat the junta.But the military is now advancing on the battlefield, in large part thanks to backing from China.Beijing has brokered key truces with rebel groups working with the PDFs, while also supporting the junta's newly formed civilian administration as it chips away at Myanmar's pariah status abroad -- the country's foreign minister will meet his regional counterparts in Bangkok this weekend.Selective ceasefiresWhen security forces put down anti-coup protests, many youngsters quit the cities to form PDF guerrilla units, finding common cause with the kaleidoscope of ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar's fringes.Many ethnic factions are semi-professionalised after decades fighting central rule.Pro-democracy rebels embedded with them to secure notable successes, including a landmark 2023 combined offensive that advanced to the brink of Mandalay, Myanmar's second city.But the military has regained the initiative after peeling off two significant ethnic factions with Beijing-backed truces -- the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.
