MYANMAR (BURMA) In recent days, a video has begun spreading online showing members of the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) executing several civilians in a particularly brutal way. They literally stab them to death with knives while the victims lie bound on the ground. Reportedly, they were accused of cooperating with the NDL.
As the video circulates, it is being used as propaganda by all anti-government factions in the Myanmar civil war, especially the NDL and PDF. However, the situation there is far more complex than a short video can ever reveal.
The civil war in Myanmar has lasted for decades, almost completely ignored by the world. Entire generations have grown up knowing nothing but war, and such acts of violence have become normalized. Every fighter has lost someone in the conflict, fueling a deep desire for revenge.
When civilians suspected of sympathizing with the enemy give information, it often leads to brutal retaliation against comrades, fellow fighters, or family members. If a civilian is discovered to be an informant, they are often dealt with in such horrific ways. The truth, however, is that emotions often override reason or fair judgment. There are countless cases where innocent civilians have been murdered unjustly – by one side or the other.
If you are in any way connected to this war and encounter this or similar videos spreading with undertones of hate and propaganda, do not give in to it. Adding fuel to the fire on any side only leads to more hatred and more loss of life. The best thing you can do is spread awareness of this conflict, as many people around the world do not even know Myanmar exists.
