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Commentary: Three years on from coup, Myanmar’s civil war looks headed for a fourth year The international community has made some helpful gestures but remained at arm’s length. The people of Myanmar seem destined to fend for themselves.

Three years war only, since Myanmar’s armed forces (known as Tatmadaw) rejected National League for Democracy’s 2020 landslide election victory and seized power. The country soon descended into a bitter and costly civil war that shows no signs of ending. Both sides have vowed to fight on until they achieve an outright military victory.

The multi-faceted and hydra-headed opposition movement is divided over many political issues, but in recent months it has managed to reach an unprecedented level of cooperation at the military level. Led by several ethnic armed organisations, this has resulted in joint and coordinated operations over two thirds of the country, and a string of military successes.

The junta continues to dominate Myanmar’s heavily populated and economically important heartland, but it is facing unprecedented challenges on the battlefield. This could lead, at least in the short term, to an effective loss of control over the country’s outer-lying areas, including some important trade and communications links with India, China and Thailand.

Predictions of the junta’s imminent collapse are premature and misleading. The resilience of the generals should not be underestimated.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commenta...re-4059991