From afar to frontlines: Foreign fighters join Myanmar resistance 3 yrs after military coup

Three years after Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021, which led to the arrest of the country’s democratically elected leaders, foreign fighters have begun to appear alongside anti-regime forces.

These foreign volunteers, numbering about a dozen, have joined resistance efforts not as mercenaries but as adventurers, typically receiving only basic rations and accommodation.

The presence of foreign fighters is a recent development in Myanmar’s ongoing conflict and offers a small boost to the resistance forces in terms of battle training and experience. Although their numbers are relatively few compared to larger global conflicts, their involvement symbolizes international solidarity with Myanmar’s resistance.

Analysts, however, believe that these foreign fighters are unlikely to significantly alter the overall dynamics of the conflict. Yet, the volunteers themselves hope that their combat experience can aid both established ethnic armed groups and newer resistance movements in their fight against the military regime. This year is considered potentially decisive for the conflict, which has seen escalating violence and widespread resistance.

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The foreign fighters’ involvement remains a secretive and murky aspect of Myanmar’s conflict. Those who choose to speak about their experiences insist on anonymity to protect their identities and avoid potential repercussions. Their participation underscores the global reach and varied international responses to Myanmar’s struggle for democracy.

Opposition in Myanmar, also known as Burma, had been growing since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, but it gained new momentum in October when major militias known collectively as the Three Brotherhood Alliance launched a joint offensive.

Together, the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army — among the most powerful militias formed by Myanmar’s ethnic minorities — made quick advances.

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As they captured huge swaths of territory largely in the north and northeast, including economically important border crossings with China and several major military bases, other ethnic armed groups sensed momentum and joined the fighting.

At the same time, People’s Defence Forces — armed resistance groups that support the shadow National Unity Government, which views itself as Myanmar’s legitimate administration — have been increasing in number and launching their own attacks, often supported and trained by the ethnic armed militias.

Both sides claim they have inflicted heavy tolls. And the military government under Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has acknowledged it is under pressure, recently reintroducing conscription to increase its ranks.

That has pushed some young people into the resistance. Many more have fled to rural areas or neighboring countries to avoid fighting.

With the violence across its border, China helped broker a cease-fire in Myanmar’s north in January with the Three Brotherhood Alliance. But the alliance’s Arakan Army continues to fight in its home Rakhine state in the west and has made significant gains, while PDFs and other ethnic armed groups continue their own attacks elsewhere.

With inputs from agencies.