In brief
Since the military coup in Myanmar, resistance forces have captured around 15,000 prisoners of war, facing challenges in providing adequate care while managing makeshift prisons across various territories.
Since the military coup in Myanmar over four years ago, tens of thousands of civilians have risen against the ruling military junta. They have either joined pre-existing armed groups or formed new resistance factions. The conflict has escalated, especially since 2023, leading to notable victories for the rebels and the capture of significant numbers of enemy personnel.According to People’s Goal, a nonprofit organization supporting military defectors, the rebels currently hold approximately 15,000 prisoners of war (POWs), which includes high-ranking officers and their relatives living on military bases taken over by these forces. Most of these family members have been released, highlighting a difference in how rebels treat their captives compared to the junta's approach.Managing such a large number of prisoners presents a logistical challenge for the various armed groups. They lack resources, necessitating the establishment of makeshift prison camps scattered throughout areas under their control. The conditions in these camps vary: some accommodate dozens of prisoners, while others may hold hundreds. In numerous instances, captured soldiers are required to assist with everyday tasks, including farming and cooking for their basic sustenance.
