In Myanmar, citizens who have been oppressed by the army are increasing their resistance to the army by arming them with guns, and battles are taking place in various places.
The United Nations has expressed strong concern over the deterioration of human rights, saying that at least 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate due to the effects of the fighting.
In Myanmar, 862 people had died by the 12th, according to a summary of human rights groups, as security forces fired at civilians participating in protests against the military.
Citizens suppressed by the army are armed with guns and receive military training from ethnic minority armed groups to increase resistance by force, while the army is fighting in various places such as air strikes. ..
Under these circumstances, Mr. Andrew Kirkwood of the United Nations, who provides humanitarian assistance locally, responded to an online interview with NHK.
In eastern Kayah State, Kirkwood noted that civilians were fighting fiercely with the army in collaboration with armed groups, saying, "Bullets and mortars were used in urban areas, killing children who were playing. There are also, "he said, revealing that 100,000 people in the state alone have been displaced and forced to evacuate.
Regarding assistance to refugees, he said, "The availability of sanitary water and food is limited. The necessary relief supplies have not been delivered due to the fighting," he said, expressing strong concern about the deterioration of the human rights situation.
"If you don't fight, the next generation will suffer from repression." Young people who resist with force
A 22-year-old man, who has escaped military crackdowns and is undergoing military training in an area dominated by ethnic minority militants, responded to the interview on condition of anonymity.
The man has been protesting the military in the second city of Mandalay since the February coup, but in April he moved to a military camp in an ethnic minority-controlled area with a few friends. And participated in the training.
The reason for participating in the training was that an acquaintance who was demonstrating with me was shot dead.
Although it is not possible for men to clarify the location of the camp, the actual state of operation, the number of participants, etc., young people, mainly in their twenties, gathered from all over the country to live in groups and handle guns from former soldiers who left the army. He says he is learning how to do it.
The man said, "Even though I was demonstrating peacefully, the army fired live ammunition and attacked my home. I am prepared to fight until I win." It means that he plans to join a unit called the "National Defense Forces".
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man in eastern Kayah State says he is fighting security forces armed with automatic rifles and heavy weapons, using hunting guns and other weapons.
In the midst of a shortage of weapons, they are receiving weapons support from ethnic minority armed groups.
The man said, "The fighting will be bigger and more refugees will come out. I don't know when I will be shot and die, but I have to keep fighting. If I don't fight, next to us Generations will also suffer from military crackdowns. "
In Myanmar, ethnic minority armed groups and military battles to support civilians seeking democratization also took place intermittently, and last month a military helicopter was shot down during an airstrike in northern Kachin State. ..
Residents to evacuate
A video taken by a volunteer man who provides humanitarian assistance in Kayah State, where many people are forced to evacuate, shows several people evacuating in a tent made of bamboo and sheets in the woods. You can see how it is doing.
According to men, local roads have been destroyed or blocked by the military, resulting in a shortage of supplies such as medicines and food.
In addition, there are a number of children who are sick due to the fact that they cannot sleep because they hear gunshots every night and the hygiene environment is poor.
A man who had been evacuating into the forest with six family members from two weeks ago said, "If nothing is done, food will run out and you will die. However, in the village where you lived, the loud noise of heavy weapons rang and many soldiers I couldn't go back to the village now and I don't want to go back. "
Also, a woman evacuating with her child said, "I can't even turn on the candlelight at night to prevent it from being found by the military. The child is afraid of the night coming every day and is shot by soldiers. I'm afraid that it might be. I've never had such an experience. It rains heavily and I want to go to a safe place quickly. I don't want to live under military dictatorship. "
Expert "The international community unites to reach out to the military"
In neighboring Thailand, Sparac Ganjanakundi, who is studying the situation in Myanmar, said, "Citizens pick up weapons and protect themselves as the military is trying to suppress the peaceful demonstrations of the citizens. I have no choice but to do it. "
He added, "The military has about 400,000 troops and is equipped with modern weapons, tanks, and guns. The" National Defense Corps "formed by the pro-democracy forces cannot match the military with military power." I will.
"If fighting takes place, many lives will be lost and many will be forced to evacuate," he said, raising concerns that more fighting could cost more citizens.
"It may be difficult to get results in a short period of time, but it is important for the international community to work together to reach out to the Myanmar military," said Sparak. He says it is important to persevere in the military to stop cracking down on civilians.