“Our only option”: Myanmar civilians take up arms to achieve democracy New conflicts
In the weeks following the February 1 military coup, Andrew staged millions across Myanmar to demonstrate peacefully to return to civilian rule.
Just two months later, a 27-year-old man was training to kill soldiers with a wooden hunting rifle in his hometown, Kayah state, on Myanmar’s southeastern border with Thailand.
“Before the coup, I couldn’t even kill an animal,” Andrew said, along with other resistance fighters interviewed by Al Jazeera, who preferred not to know his name for security reasons. “When I saw the military kill civilians, I felt very sad and worried … it occurred to me that I was fighting for the people against evil military dictators.”
In the weeks following the February 1 military coup, Andrew joined millions across Myanmar in peacefully demonstrating for a return to civilian rule.
Less than two months later, the 27-year-old was training to kill soldiers with a wooden hunting rifle in the jungles of his native Kayah State on Myanmar’s southeastern border with Thailand.
“Before the coup, I couldn’t even kill an animal,” said Andrew, who in common with other resistance fighters interviewed by Al Jazeera preferred his name not be disclosed for security reasons. “When I saw the military kill civilians, I felt really sad and troubled… I came to the mindset that I’m fighting for the people against evil military dictators.”