Myanmar resistance holds key areas in Tanintharyi as military escalates counter-offensive

What happened

The Guardian Myanmar reports that five years after the military coup, the civil war in Myanmar has reached a pivotal phase marked by escalated military counter-offensives aimed at reclaiming territory seized by pro-democracy rebels and ethnic armed groups. In the southern Tanintharyi region, local resistance groups, including the Karen National Union (KNU) and the People's Defence Force (PDF), continue to contest the junta’s authority.

The central claim remains unconfirmed in the supplied material and should be treated as hearsay until corroborated by another reliable source or a named official. Tanintharyi, a narrow region bordering Thailand and the Andaman Sea, has been a historical hotspot for armed rebellion, primarily led by the Karen ethnic minority. Since the 2021 coup, the resistance in this area has grown significantly, fueled by young fighters from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds responding to brutal junta crackdowns on protests and civilian populations.

The Guardian details how the resistance controls nearly half of Tanintharyi, holding rural areas and key waterways. The movement combines long-standing ethnic armed groups like the KNU and newer formations such as the PDF, which emerged from urban youths turned guerrillas. Together, they have pushed the military forces back toward coastal towns despite the ongoing threat of junta artillery and airstrikes.

Known from the source

• The Myanmar military carried out a coup on 1 February 2021, overthrowing the civilian government.
• The civil war involves pro-democracy rebels and ethnic armed groups fighting the junta.
• The Karen National Union (KNU) is a long-established armed group active in Tanintharyi.
• The People's Defence Force (PDF) emerged after the coup as a new resistance formation.
• The combined resistance controls nearly half of the Tanintharyi region, including rural and navigable areas.

What remains unclear

Since 2026 began, the Myanmar military, supported by Beijing and buoyed by forcibly recruited troops estimated above 80,000, has intensified operations across multiple fronts, including in Tanintharyi. This has forced some insurgent groups to retreat from strategically vital areas. The conflict has produced more than 90,000 deaths overall, with civilians and fighters alike suffering heavy losses, including multiple young PDF fighters recently killed in frontline combat.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. The exact number and composition of military reinforcements in Tanintharyi. Verification of recent frontline casualties and number of fighters killed on specific days. Details and accountability for airstrikes on civilian sites and gatherings.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: The Guardian Myanmar. Open the source.