On June 25, an explosion shook the town of Mogok in Myanmar’s central Mandalay region, sending shockwaves through the community and forcing Hla Su and her family to seek shelter in a nearby trench. The explosion marked the beginning of a harrowing ordeal for the residents of Mogok, who found themselves caught in the crossfire of escalating violence.
For Hla Su, a 34-year-old from Myanmar’s ethnic Bamar majority, the days that followed were a blur of fear and uncertainty. “When the explosions subsided, I cooked quickly, but I couldn’t eat well. I was overwhelmed by stress and fear,” she recounted. The relentless sound of airstrikes made sleep impossible, compounding the physical and emotional toll on her family.
The violence in Mogok is part of a broader pattern of conflict that has plagued Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021. The coup has led to widespread unrest, with numerous ethnic armed groups and civilian resistance fighters clashing with the military junta. The resulting violence has displaced thousands and left many communities in a state of constant fear.
Over the next three days, Hla Su and her family remained underground, waiting for the fighting to stop. However, the situation only worsened, with sporadic explosions and gunfire becoming a grim routine. The constant threat of violence has disrupted daily life, making even basic activities like cooking and eating fraught with danger.
The humanitarian crisis in Mogok highlights the urgent need for international attention and intervention. The ongoing conflict has strained local resources and left many civilians without access to essential services. Despite the dire conditions, the resilience of individuals like Hla Su shines through, underscoring the strength and determination of the people of Myanmar in the face of adversity.
As the situation in Mogok and other conflict zones in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, it is crucial for the international community to respond with increased support for humanitarian efforts and renewed diplomatic pressure to bring about a peaceful resolution. The voices of those affected, like Hla Su, must not be ignored, and their experiences should serve as a call to action for a world that cannot afford to turn a blind eye to their suffering.