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Calling for Effective Actions: Moral Numbness and Policy Laziness on Civilian Impact in Myanmar

Writer's picture: globalarakannetworkglobalarakannetwork

Updated: Jan 19

By Khaing Wantha, GAN

Shortread: Opinions                                                                          January 18, 2025


Civilians viewing destruction by junta air strikes in Kyauknimaw village, Rambree township (photocrd)
Civilians viewing destruction by junta air strikes in Kyauknimaw village, Rambree township (photocrd)

To say Myanmar has been in turmoil would be an understatement. However, the recent widespread aerial bombings by the State Administrative Council (SAC) across the country have taken the conflict to a new, horrific level. This escalation underscores that the conflict is not merely a civil war between the SAC and armed resistance groups. Instead, it represents the junta’s all-out repression against the entire population and all communities within Myanmar. Despite these blatant violations of humanitarian norms, international stakeholders have failed to provide a response commensurate with the severity of the crisis. Without genuine and effective interventions, Myanmar risks descending further into a humanitarian abyss in the coming years.


Historical Context


Myanmar has endured large-scale violence by the Burmese Army since the late 1940s, particularly against ethnic minority groups. However, the 2021 military coup, carried out under the guise of the State Administrative Council, has triggered widespread public insurrection. In response, the SAC has suffered significant territorial losses, particularly in 2024, as resistance groups and ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs) have gained ground. Despite these setbacks, the SAC continues to dig in, clinging to power through increasingly brutal tactics.


Escalation of Violence


Rather than confronting resistance forces head-on, the SAC has turned to its aerial superiority, deploying heavy bombardments to suppress opposition. This strategy, however, has largely failed to halt the resistance’s momentum. Key military bases, including two regional command headquarters in the northeast and western regions, have fallen to resistance forces. The SAC is now losing ground rapidly in regions like Kachin State, where resistance forces continue to claim towns.

In a disturbing shift, the SAC has resorted to indiscriminate bombings of civilian areas far from the front lines. These attacks target ordinary citizens, public infrastructure, and essential services, disrupting daily life and causing immense suffering. In January 2025 alone, lethal aerial bombings were reported in Kachin, Arakan, and northern Shan areas. These attacks have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including women and children, as well as widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.


Media and International Response


While local Myanmar-based media report these atrocities extensively, international media often overlook smaller-scale incidents. For example, a recent bombing in Arakan garnered international attention due to its high casualty rate and extensive destruction. However, similar incidents in towns like Kyauktaw in Arakan and Phakant in Kachin failed to gain global coverage. This selective reporting reduces these tragedies to mere footnotes in the broader narrative of Myanmar’s conflict.


Destruction in Kyauknimaw, Rambree township on January 8, 2025 (photocrd)
Destruction in Kyauknimaw, Rambree township on January 8, 2025 (photocrd)

The SAC’s actions likely violate international humanitarian law and may even constitute war crimes or genocidal acts against ethnic minorities. Targeting civilians and local governance structures undermines genuine federal solutions that address the population’s needs. Yet, these violations are met with limited international action, allowing the SAC to continue its campaign of terror.


The Risks of Moral Numbness


The normalization of violence and the constant stream of grim statistics risk desensitizing both local and global audiences. While advocacy groups document these atrocities, the overwhelming scale of suffering can lead to disengagement and apathy. For the international community, this moral numbness must not translate into policy inaction. The current lack of meaningful international engagement only emboldens the SAC and deepens the suffering of Myanmar’s people.


Civilians killed by the junta air strikes in Kyauknimaw, Rambree towship (AAinfodesk)
Civilians killed by the junta air strikes in Kyauknimaw, Rambree towship (AAinfodesk)

Ineffective International Policies

Despite repeated calls for intervention, international responses remain insufficient and outdated. High-level meetings and negotiations often focus on persuading the SAC to reinstate a power-sharing arrangement with the opposition, particularly the National Unity Government (NUG). However, this approach fails to reflect the new realities on the ground, where regionalized reforms led by EROs and local communities are gaining traction. International development agencies, bound by principles of state sovereignty, have struggled to provide effective aid to these areas, further exacerbating the crisis.


Call to Action


To address Myanmar’s crisis, the international community must break free from moral numbness and policy inertia. Concrete actions should include:

  1. Targeted Sanctions: Implement stringent economic sanctions against SAC leaders and entities supporting the junta’s war machine.

  2. Humanitarian Aid: Establish mechanisms to deliver aid directly to affected communities, bypassing SAC-controlled channels.

  3. Support for Local Governance: Recognize and strengthen the efforts of EROs and local administrations to build sustainable governance structures.

  4. Accountability Measures: Pursue legal action against SAC leaders for war crimes and human rights violations through international courts.

By embracing proactive and innovative solutions, the global community can help alleviate the suffering of Myanmar’s people and pave the way for a lasting political resolution.

 

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