Photos by Kyaw San. Text by Sacca.
Following the coup d’état of February 2021, Kyaw San photographed the frontlines of the popular uprising which spread throughout Myanmar. As these urban protests were quashed by a brutal military crackdown, many young Burmese retreated into the jungles to learn how to wage war. Kyaw San followed, travelling through areas of Sagaing and Shan State to witness the myriad issues which feed into the ongoing armed conflict in the country.

Shan State has been embroiled in civil war for decades and locals have long suffered under military repression. The coup drove thousands to join a ‘People’s Defence Force’ in order to resist the new dictatorship, but it also caused old rivalries between existing ethnic armed groups to flare up. Kyaw San’s  photography captures Myanmar’s existing and emerging armed groups at a time of great ferment in the country’s history. 

This photo taken on January 11, 2022 shows TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army) soldiers preparing for a military demonstration to mark the 59th Anniversary of the TNLA, in Tangyan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on December 23, 2021 shows farmers removing traded goods from horses in Namhsan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 6, 2022 shows young soldiers of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) travelling by motorbike in Hsipaw Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on August 28, 2022 in Hpruso Township, Kayah State, Myanmar shows Karenni soldiers in front of burnt out vehicles of the Myanmar Army after attacking them along a main road.

This photo taken on January 4, 2022 shows Ta’ang National LIberation Army (TNLA) soldiers relaxing near solar panels near the frontline in Kyaukme Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 12, 2022, shows locals protesting against military coup in Ayardaw Township, Saging Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 19 2022 shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members with homemade guns in Tabayin Towhship, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members undergoing military training in Sagaing Region. This photo was taken on February 22, 2022 in Pale Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 22, 2022, shows Monywa People’s Defence Force (MPDF) training at their military training ground in Pale Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 13, 2022, shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members in full uniform in Ayardaw Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 18, 2022, shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members making homemade munitions in Tabayin Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 19 2022 shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members with homemade guns in Tabayin Towhship, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on October 6, 2022 in Demoso township, Kayah State, Myanmar, shows a mobile medical team at an IDP camp.

This photo taken on February 22, 2022, shows Monywa People’s Defence Force (MPDF) training at their military training ground in Pale Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 19 2022 shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members with homemade guns in Tabayin Towhship, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 12, 2022 shows Ta’ang ethnic women in traditional dress in Tangyan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 7, 2022 shows a Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) soldier travelling to the frontline in Hsipaw Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 12, 2022 shows TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army) soldiers taking part in a military demonstration held to mark the 59th Anniversary of the TNLA, in Tangyan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 12, 2022 shows TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army) soldiers taking part in a military demonstration held to mark the 59th Anniversary of the TNLA, in Tangyan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 19, 2022, shows local People’s Defence Force (PDF) members make a meeting in Tabayin Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 4, 2022 shows Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) soldiers resting after completing their duties near the frontline in Kyaukme Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on November 17, 2022 shows Karenni Revolution Union (KRU) soldiers in their leisure time after the one year anniversary of their formation in Demoso Township, Kayah State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 11, 2022 shows TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army) soldiers practicing for a military demonstration to mark the 59th Anniversary of the TNLA, in Tangyan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on January 12, 2022 shows TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army) soldiers practicing for a military demonstration to mark the 59th Anniversary of the TNLA, in Tangyan Township, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

This photo taken on February 18, 2022, shows a local People’s Defence Force (PDF) member testing a handmade gun in Tabayin Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on September 25 2022 in Demoso township, Kayah State, Myanmar shows Karenni soldiers carrying a comrade who was hit by heavy weapon of the Myanmar Army on the frontline.

This photo taken on April 20 2023 shows BPLA soldiers taking lunch in their military camp in Karen State, Myanmar. They are trainees of the advanced military training program of the BPLA.

This photo taken on April 17, 2023 in KNU Brigade 5 area, Karen State, Myanmar, shows Bamar People’s Liberation Army soldiers preparing to rasie a flag to mark the two year anniversary of their formation.

This photo taken on February 18, 2022, shows a local People’s Defence Force (PDF) member testing homemade munitions in Tabayin Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

This photo taken on April 26 2023 shows BPLA soldiers at their military camp in Karen State, Myanmar.

This work is supported by grants from the VII Foundation and The Frontline Club.

Kyaw San is a Burmese photojournalist with experience covering a wide range of political and social stories and events throughout Myanmar for local publications and international organisations. Since the military coup in Myanmar Kyaw San has been working freelance, following a story examining the myriad issues related to continued armed resistance in Myanmar.

Due to the political situation in Myanmar the name Kyaw San is an alias and this bio has been heavily redacted to remove any identifying information. 

Sacca Photo represents a collective of photographers documenting the reality of life under Myanmar’s military dictatorship. All enquiries into licensing images for publication or exhibition should be emailed to saccaphoto@protonmail.com.

www.saccaphoto.com