Thousands dead and imprisoned as Myanmar civil war escalates

Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since the military junta seized power from a civilian government on February 1, 2021. The aftermath of the coup has led to an increase in violence, with the military inflicting unprecedented harm on civilians. Reports indicate that the severity of the violence has worsened, with an estimated 6,239 people killed and over 28,000 arrested since the takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Ethnic minority militias and resistance forces have been gaining control over territories while the military struggles with significant defeats in various regions. These dynamics paint a dire picture for peace prospects in the country, despite international pressure for resolution and calls for the release of political prisoners and reinstatement of democratic governance. The United Nations has noted that the situation for civilians continues to deteriorate, exacerbating poverty and suffering among the country's population, which has drastically increased since the coup. The military has proposed scheduling elections in an attempt to normalize its control, but many critics argue that these elections cannot be fair or legitimate amid widespread repression and violence against opposition leaders. The ongoing civil unrest has also contributed to increased cross-border crime, including drug trafficking and scam operations, posing risks of instability not only in Myanmar but in neighboring countries as well.