Watch: Rebels on the Front Lines of Myanmar’s Civil War

Five years after Myanmar’s military chief launched a coup that removed the country’s democratically elected government, the nation remains trapped in a devastating civil war that has displaced millions and killed thousands. The conflict has pitted the military against a loose alliance of ethnic armed groups and rebel forces, reshaping daily life across large parts of the country and leaving communities exposed to violence, poverty, and uncertainty.

In the early stages of the war, anti-military forces scored major gains. More than two years ago, rebel groups advanced across several areas and appeared to be gaining momentum against the junta. But the balance of power has since shifted. The military has regained the initiative in many regions, helped by forced conscription and a greater reliance on drone technology. These changes have strengthened its battlefield position and increased pressure on rebel-held territory.

BBC correspondent Quentin Sommerville entered Myanmar without permission from the authorities, the only way to access areas controlled by rebel forces. Over a 10-day period, he traveled through rebel-held territory, spending time with fighters, visiting hospitals, and observing front-line positions in Bago and Karen states. His reporting offered a rare view of how the conflict is evolving on the ground and how both civilians and combatants are affected.

The scenes he encountered reflected a war that has become more complex and more dangerous for those resisting military rule. Rebel fighters continue to hold ground in some areas, but they now face a stronger and more adaptable enemy. The use of drones has changed the pace and scale of fighting, while conscription has expanded the military’s manpower and sustained its campaign. These developments have made it harder for opposition groups to maintain the advantage they once had.

Hospitals in conflict zones show the human cost of the war, with casualties arriving from front-line clashes and surrounding areas. Front-line positions in Bago and Karen states highlight the instability that continues to define much of Myanmar, where control can shift quickly and entire communities are caught between competing armed groups.

The country’s crisis has now lasted half a decade, with no clear end in sight. What began as a seizure of power by the military has evolved into a nationwide conflict marked by widespread suffering, displacement, and political deadlock. Despite earlier rebel advances, the military’s renewed offensive has altered the battlefield and deepened the struggle for those fighting against it.

Sommerville’s journey through rebel-held Myanmar underscores both the scale of the conflict and the difficulty of reporting from inside one of the world’s most restricted war zones. It also reveals a war that is no longer defined by a single moment of takeover, but by years of attrition, shifting tactics, and a population forced to endure the consequences.