Aerial assaults rained down from helicopter gunships. Bombs exploded. Long range artillery shells came down indiscriminately. Targets included hospitals, schools and residential areas. Communities and villages burned down. Thousands of internally displaced people tried to escape from war zones. But the local resistance forces won’t give up. While they are fighting against a much bigger enemy that has superior fire power, their spirits remain high. They are fighting for their freedom, liberty, autonomy and democracy against a tyrant who wants to squash them and grab their territory.
After reading the above, most would right away think of Ukraine, the scenes of which we have become accustomed to in the past few weeks. And yet unbeknownst to many, a strikingly similar scenario is unfolding in a far corner of the world, Myanmar. The events were in the town of Loikaw, Kayah State, Myanmar ( https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-southeast-asia-asia-new-york-33c0d542db04a6b8ad7d7864c5b625df ) . Just like their Ukrainian counterpart Territorial Defense Forces (TDFs), Myanmar resistance forces made of citizen soldiers called People Defense Forces (PDFs) are valiantly resisting against the onslaught of a much bigger enemy, the Myanmar Military (also known as Tatmadaw). And while our Ukrainian brothers and sisters have received tons of support from the west and NATO countries, whether it be economic or humanitarian or military support or even media attention, Myanmar is deserving of equal attention. Is it a geopolitical issue or something else?
The circumstances in Ukraine and Myanmar have many similarities despite some subtle differences. Both are facing a humanitarian crisis with vast numbers of refugees trying to flee war zones because of a tyrant who started a war. In Ukraine, it is the despot Mr. Putin and his Russian army invading with an aim to change regimes, from a democratically elected one into a puppet. In Myanmar it is General Min Aung Hlaing, army chief of staff and his like-minded generals who staged a coup on 1 February 2021 toppling the democratically elected civilian government. A regime was changed and the Myanmar citizens are fighting back with their bodies and blood.
At first, Myanmar citizens demonstrated peacefully on the streets and staged a civil disobedience movement. Myanmar’s military brutally crushed these protestors, utilizing weapons they have purchased from China, Russia and others. Thousands died. Many of those killings took place in broad daylight well videotaped by cell phones with clips widely available on the internet. Yet, that didn’t faze the Myanmar junta. Consequently, and as a last resort, citizens started to fight back with any available weapon they could find including homemade rifles- what an act of courage to believe so deeply in a cause that you attack soldiers with automatic weapons armed only with a single shot homemade rifle or a traditional flintlock hunting musket called “tumee”. People Defense Forces (PDFs) were formed in every town and region of the country made up of volunteers. Lately, the PDFs are a bit better armed, battle hardened and donning the most important of arms - commitment. The military, despite their greater firepower, is suffering substantial losses and cannot take and hold territory, especially in the rural areas. Fierce battles are now taking place in Kayah, Kayin, Kachin, Chin and Sagaing states. To be clear, PDFs sustained many casualties as well but the military can’t match their morale or the ability to replace fallen fighters. Given their lesser fire power, PDFs have effectively resorted to mines and ambushes to their advantage. But PDFs lack air support or an ability to defend against aerial assaults through their small arms. Because of this, the Myanmar military has unleashed their airpower in a scorched-earth campaign against PDFs and armed ethnic groups. Just like in Ukraine, the PDFs have to apply asymmetrical warfare tactics against a bigger invading force in what were once peaceful towns and villages.
But the similarities end there. For Ukraine, support came in many forms from different corners of the world. The economic sanctions were broad, swift and harsh. Western governments including the United States didn’t deliberate long to impose such measures. Russia was kicked out of the SWIFT banking system, effectively eliminating its ability to participate in global monetary transactions. All took place within a week after Russia declared war on Ukraine. For Myanmar it took months for western nations to come up with some forms of sanctions. Fourteen months later, many major military enterprises such as Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) are not fully in the US sanction list. This has allowed the Myanmar military to be able to sustain its money flow and likewise its survival. Myanma Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) is fully under the junta’s control and yet it retains its ability to participate in the international banking system.
Also consider the support towards the democratic Ukrainian government and its president Mr. Zelensky who has deservedly been hailed as a hero. He was invited to address the US Congress, British Parliament and European parliament just to name a few where he was unanimously given a standing ovation. Myanmar has a similar structure, a government in hiding, the National Unity Government (NUG). It is made of elected parliamentary members who escaped to border areas and many representatives from Ethnic Organizations who have been fighting against prior successive Myanmar central governments for six decades since all were authoritarian regimes in one form or another. However, the NUG is overlooked by the international community when it comes to time and attention. For example, the NUG is including the Rohingya ethnic group, a group that secretary of state Blinken stated as a victim of genocide, into its government and wants to ensure they are part of a future Myanmar. This represents a watershed political event in Myanmar’s history. But little is written about it nor is the NUG recognized for it.
So why the difference? Are these geopolitics? Is it because the United States doesn’t want to ire Myanmar’s big neighbor China who backs Myanmar’s military, just like it supports Russia? Won’t this policy backfire by emboldening a murdering autocrat, just as in Russia? This aside, the conflict in Myanmar has already created a humanitarian disaster not just in the country but in the region. In addition to tens of thousands of internally displaced and those forced to flee to border states, the coup has totally shattered Myanmar’s economy, society and the healthcare system. COVID continues to run rampant. The country is in the midst of a civil war and the military threatens to push it over the cliff of failed-state status.
Only bold and decisive support from the USA in collaboration with friendly democratic countries together with strong support to the NUG can save Myanmar from military rule. This would save thousands from death in coming months. Built on the principles of freedom, democracy and liberty, the USA should lead the world by example. It should support Myanmar as it supports Ukraine. Both countries are fighting for their freedom and deserve to succeed.
Comments