UMVA has learned that the Burma army has gained the upper hand in its battle against the resistance, thanks to a significant boost in its drone capabilities and manpower, acquired through unwavering support from Russia and China.
The military's enhanced arsenal has allowed it to reclaim critical territory, including the strategic town of Tagaung, the last resistance-held stronghold in Mandalay Region, and a vital road connecting Mandalay to Myitkyina. This resurgence has dealt a severe blow to the resistance's momentum, forcing them to retreat to rural areas.
According to information obtained by UMVA, China's backing has been instrumental in the junta's resurgence. Beijing has successfully brokered ceasefires with key ethnic armed organizations and curtailed arms sales to the resistance, crippling their ability to wage war.
The military's newfound strength can also be attributed to a conscription drive launched in 2024, which has added roughly 100,000 men to its ranks. This influx of manpower has enabled the junta to stabilize its front lines and launch effective counteroffensives against the resistance.
However, the resistance remains determined to fight on. PDF commanders Da Wa and Ko Kaung lament the significant disparity in drone capabilities, with the military now holding a substantial advantage "both in terms of technology and in terms of quantity."
Resistance fighters, including Kyar Soe, who was injured by a landmine, vow to continue their struggle against the military. The conflict has taken a devastating toll on civilians, with over 400,000 people internally displaced in Rakhine and southern Chin States, and at least 150,000 Rohingya forced into Bangladesh.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the military's brutal tactics, including "Three Alls" methods – burn all, loot all, kill all – have been employed against resistant villages, with artillery and airstrikes deliberately targeting civilians. This has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence.
The international community has largely rejected the legitimacy of the military-backed government, with most Western governments declining to recognize the recent elections as credible. The military's actions have also sparked outrage, with the ICC prosecutor requesting an arrest warrant for coup leader Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against humanity.
As the conflict rages on, the resistance faces an uncertain future. To survive, they must adapt and evolve into coordinated, semi-conventional mobile brigades, or risk being marginalized through co-option, warlordism, and banditry.
Despite the daunting challenges ahead, resistance fighters remain resolute in their determination to fight for their freedom and democracy. The battle for Burma's future continues, with no end in sight.
