Five Years Since the Military Coup in Myanmar

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Public Myanmar News | 1 February 2026

By Ko Saw

Today marks five years since the military coup in Myanmar, which took place on February 1, 2021.

The Myanmar military seized power after claiming—without evidence—that the 2020 general election, overwhelmingly won by the National League for Democracy (NLD), was fraudulent.

The country’s civilian leaders, including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, were arrested and charged under multiple politically motivated laws. Thousands of political prisoners remain behind bars across the country.

Photo- CJ 

Crackdown on Civil Resistance

In early 2021, millions of civil servants and civilians joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), a nationwide non-violent protest campaign aimed at restoring democracy.

The military responded with live ammunition, mass arrests, and brutal repression.

Photo- CJ

Some of the earliest deadly crackdowns occurred in late February and March 2021, including the violent dispersal of protests in Hlaing Tharyar, Yangon, and Mandalay.

Photo- CJ

On April 9, 2021, security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Bago, killing nearly 100 people and arresting more than 50. The massacre became one of the deadliest single-day attacks since the coup.

Rise of Armed Resistance

In February 2021, elected lawmakers formed the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), followed by the creation of the National Unity Government (NUG).

In March 2021, young activists formed the People’s Defence Force (PDF), launching armed resistance against the military regime.

One of the most significant battles took place on December 14, 2021, in Lay Kay Kaw, Karen State, which later became a symbol of nationwide resistance.

Escalation of War

In October 2023, the resistance launched Operation 1027, led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance—

the Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

The operation expanded across northern and southern Shan State, Mandalay, Sagaing, Chin, Rakhine, and Ayeyarwady regions, resulting in the seizure of large territories from military control.

As the regime’s forces weakened, the junta introduced a forced conscription law in March 2024, abducting young men for military training. Those who refused were reportedly forced to pay heavy monthly fines.

Thousands of conscripts were sent to the front lines with little or no combat training. Since 2024, many have been killed, while hundreds have defected or surrendered.

Humanitarian Crisis

As of February 2026, fighting continues nationwide.

More than two million people have been displaced and are living as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Junta’s Sham Elections

To retain power, the military held staged elections in three phases:

• December 28, 2025

• January 11, 2026

• January 24, 2026

The United Nations and much of the international community rejected the process as illegal and fraudulent.

China, however, recognized the outcome and described the process as successful.

Looking Forward

Five years after the coup, Myanmar remains under military rule.

Yet across the country, citizens and resistance forces continue to fight for freedom, democracy, and peace—holding on to hope for a future beyond dictatorship.

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