In Myanmar's jungle, young volunteers train hard to fight the junta

A dense bamboo forest in rebel-controlled territory surrounds the training ground in eastern Myanmar where more than 100 young people, most in their 20s, are undergoing rigorous military exercises.

From former chefs to ex-journalists, rappers and poets, people from all walks of life have joined the resistance movement with one goal: to overthrow the military regime that seized power in the Southeast Asian country in 2021.

The Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA), led by former anti-war poet Maung Saungkha, is a leading force in Myanmar's resistance movement.

A trainer with a whistle in his hand instructs the recruits in synchronized movements. Discipline is enforced by hard blows for every mistake. Under the scorching sun, sweat soaks their bodies and their skin is covered in bruises from the strenuous training.

The trainees' daily routine begins at 4 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m., with Sunday being their day off. They complete hours of intense training without being given a drop of water to drink during the training sessions.

The BPLA, which represents Myanmar's Bamar ethnic majority, was formed in April 2021 to fight the junta after it overthrew an elected government in February of that year. Since October, the group has been a key player in Operation 1027, a joint offensive with other rebel militias that has significantly weakened the military.

Myanmar, which gained independence from Britain in 1948, was long dominated by its military. A brief period of civilian rule ended with the 2021 coup that overthrew the government of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

Those who join the fight under the BPLA flag find shelter in the jungle in makeshift tents that can accommodate about 20 to 30 people each.

Their sleeping mats are placed on the floor a few centimeters apart. Order is important, so uniforms, toiletries and textbooks are neatly arranged on their makeshift beds.

The BPLA's basic training is known for its rigor and strict discipline. The training lasts three months and pushes recruits to their physical and mental limits. Upon arrival at the training camp, all personal belongings, including phones, are confiscated and are not returned until the training period is completed.

One trainee, an 18-year-old woman who stands about 5 feet tall, is showing signs of exhaustion from the grueling training. She has dark circles under her eyes, her hair is cut almost to her head, and her skin is sunburnt from the many hours spent outdoors. Despite her exhaustion, she radiates resilience and determination.

Among her few possessions, she says, is a stuffed animal that she brought with her to camp. When asked about it, she smiled and said, “One of the coaches kept it for me and will give it back to me after training.”

Lessons in Politics

In addition to military training, BPLA recruits undergo political training. After the morning exercises, there is a short break during which they can rest or review recent political lessons.

After dinner, everyone gathers in the bamboo assembly hall. The BPLA flag hangs above the white board. Neon lights powered by a generator illuminate the room. Political courses are held here in the evenings.

Every evening, Maung Saungkha speaks about the founding principles of the BPLA, the structure of government, federalism and even gender equality. His words echo through the makeshift hall.

“I know you are exhausted,” he told them, “but a soldier's duty goes beyond exhaustion.”

One night, as classes continue, an eerie silence descends upon the camp. A junta reconnaissance drone has detected their presence. The generator shuts down and the camp is plunged into darkness. Everyone freezes and waits for the drone to disappear.

The next morning, Maung Saungkha gathers his officers to reinforce emergency preparedness in case of an attack by fighter jets. The roar of the jets is a familiar threat in the jungle, but vigilance remains essential.

Ma Chel, a 25-year-old woman and deputy director of recruitment and selection at the BPLA, recalls her journey from civilian to soldier. After completing basic training, she was proud to become an instructor, she said.

“My instructor told me that when one soldier goes to the front, one bullet is fired. But when 100 students go, 100 bullets are fired,” said Ma Chel. “That made me proud and motivated.”

Last April, the BPLA held a graduation ceremony for new recruits. Soon after graduation, some of them were sent to the front lines in Karen State. More than 20 BPLA soldiers have died in fighting since 2021, including some from the latest class of graduates in April, the movement's leaders said.

One of the young recruits, a young woman who wanted to be known only by the initials GG, remembers her transformation from a gentle city girl to a revolutionary.

“I couldn’t hold a gun at first because it was so heavy and I had to be very careful when handling it,” GG said.

She wonders why, before the coup, she could barely reach her family's fifth-floor apartment, but now she has to lug heavy bags up steep hills.

She used to dream of working in a hotel and had started training in the hotel industry before the coup. But here in the jungle, that seems like a distant memory.

“Maybe I'll continue working on my dream,” she said. “If I'm still alive after the revolution.”