The conflict in Myanmar, which escalated dramatically following the February 2021 military coup, has evolved into one of the most complex and devastating humanitarian crises in Southeast Asia. Visualizing this conflict through maps—such as those provided by IISS Myanmar (myanmar.iiss.org)—helps clarify the territorial control, displacement patterns, and key actors involved. Below, we break down the conflict’s dynamics, current trends, and humanitarian impact, supplemented by insights from recent reports.

Key Actors and Territorial Control

Myanmar’s conflict involves multiple factions, broadly categorized as:

1. State Administration Council (SAC) / Junta Forces – The military government that seized power in 2021, facing widespread resistance 78.
2. National Unity Government (NUG) & People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) – Pro-democracy armed groups opposing the junta, responsible for ~50% of attacks in early 2025 7.
3. Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) – Groups like the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and others fighting for autonomy. The AA has made significant gains in Rakhine State 78.
4. Three Brotherhood Alliance – A coalition including the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which launched major offensives in late 2023 7.

A conflict map would highlight:

• Junta-held areas (primarily urban centers and military bases).
• Resistance-controlled zones (PDFs in Sagaing, Magway, and Chin regions).
• EAO territories (e.g., AA dominance in Rakhine, TNLA in Shan State).

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

1. Escalating Violence and Civilian Toll

• The junta has intensified airstrikes and scorched-earth tactics, burning over 100,000 homes since 2021 and using cluster munitions in civilian areas 8.
• Over 3.5 million people are displaced, with Rakhine State experiencing severe clashes between the military and AA, displacing 380,000 since late 2023 810.
• Massacres and sexual violence continue, including the killing of 48–76 villagers in Rakhine in May 2024 8.

2. Humanitarian Collapse

• 19.9 million people need aid, but the 2025 UN response plan is only 7.8% funded 10.
• The military blocks aid deliveries, using starvation as a weapon 213.
• A March 2025 earthquake killed 3,800+ and worsened conditions, yet the junta restricted relief efforts 210.

3. International Dimensions

• China pressures some EAOs (e.g., MNDAA) into ceasefires but avoids mediating others like the AA 7.
• Russia supports the junta with arms and drones, bolstering its ISR capabilities 7.
• The ICC seeks arrest warrants for junta leaders over Rohingya persecution 8.

Why Conflict Maps Matter

A Myanmar conflict map (like those from IISS or ACLED) helps:
✔ Track territorial shifts (e.g., AA’s expansion in Rakhine).
✔ Identify displacement routes (3.5 million IDPs fleeing clashes).
✔ Analyze military strategies (airstrikes vs. ground offensives).
✔ Guide humanitarian efforts (aid access in blocked regions).

For example, maps show how:

• The AA’s advances threaten junta supply lines.
• PDFs exploit rural areas where the military is weaker.
• Flooding and typhoons (like Typhoon Yagi) disrupt fighting.

Conclusion: A Path to Self-Destruction?

UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop warns Myanmar is on a "path to self-destruction" without a ceasefire 13. The junta’s planned 2025 elections will likely fuel more violence, as resistance groups reject their legitimacy 713.

What’s Next?

1. Will EAOs and PDFs coordinate a nationwide offensive?
2. Can international pressure force aid access?
3. Will war crimes prosecutions deter further atrocities?

For updated maps and analysis, follow IISS Myanmar and ACLED’s conflict tracking.

Sources & Further Reading

• UN Humanitarian Updates on Myanmar
• HRW World Report 2025
• Janes Conflict Analysis 
• UN Special Envoy Briefing

Maps are critical tools in understanding war—not just as lines on a page, but as reflections of human suffering and resilience. #myanmar #conflictmap #myanmarconflictmap #reference