Myanmar believed to be on the 'verge of civil war'
Data suggests that there are increasingly deadly battles between its military and organised groups of armed civilians.
Full military rule was restored in Myanmar when the junta seized control a year ago. Now, data suggests that there are increasingly deadly battles between its military and organised groups of armed civilians.
The groups fighting government forces are known collectively as the People's Defence Force (PDF) - a loose network of civilian militia groups largely made up of young adults. The Acled (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project) has collated figures to suggest about 12,000 people have been killed in political violence since the military seized power, with clashes growing deadlier since August.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN Commissioner for Human Rights, says that Myanmar is now in a state of civil war that threatens regional stability, and thinks that the big players in the area, such as India, China and Japan, should recognise the National Unity Government, that is opposed to the coup and supported by its military wing, the People's Defence Force.
Photo: A member of the People's Defence Force during the military training at the forest of Kayin State, Myanmar
Credit: Getty Images
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