Young protesters receive military training - in an unknown place in the jungle

What began as peaceful protests against the military coup on February 1, when the government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown and a military junta regained power in the country, has continued in an increasingly violent conflict.

In March, the military began firing to kill, says activist Rita, whose real name is something else.

- They believe that we should stop resisting if they kill people.

But when they started killing innocent civilians and children, we were strengthened as citizens, and everyone decided never to give up, she says.

She participated in the protests at first, but after an arrest, the mental stress became too great.

Now she is trying to participate in other ways.

Deposed the leader in court

Opposition to the junta has changed in nature since the killings began.

There are fewer protests in the streets of Yangon, but reports of military confrontations are coming from the countryside.

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi was summoned to another court hearing on Monday following new allegations from the country's military junta.

This is the second time she has been heard in court since the coup.

The deposed leader is accused, among other things, of owning unregistered walkie-talkies and of violating corona rules in connection with last year's election.

Trained in the jungles of Myanmar

Myanmar has a history of ethnic conflicts.

There are several minority groups that have long fought for increased autonomy within the country.

Several also have their own militias.

Parts of Myanmar's political opposition have put together a National Unity Government (NUG) made up of several leading MPs and critics of the regime, several of them in exile.   

According to the shadow government, several opposition groups are now cooperating, and to show that the opposition is ready for a intensifying battle, videos have been published showing young demonstrators receiving military training from local militia groups.

The recruits are trained in an unknown place in the jungles of Myanmar.

The group is called the People's Defense Movement.

At the same time, the security situation in cities continues to deteriorate.

Rita says:

- You feel how uncertainty spreads in our daily lives. Even if you are only at home, the military can come and arrest you at any time. They can detain you for just about anything. If you are going outdoors, you need to prepare, not wear black for example, and you may need to erase something sensitive from your phone.