A new report says a “conflict economy” is fueling ongoing violence in Myanmar, where military airstrikes and illegal mineral extraction are compounding humanitarian suffering for civilians, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Rakhine and Shan states.
The report, released in August 2026, documents how both the military junta and various armed resistance groups are profiting from the extraction of rare earth minerals and other resources while simultaneously carrying out operations that violate international humanitarian law. According to the analysis, revenue from illegal mining and logging—often controlled by ethnic armed organizations and military-backed militias—has enabled prolonged warfare and reduced incentives for peace negotiations.
Military airstrikes have intensified since late 2025, especially following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire agreement between the junta and the Karen National Union. The New York Times reported that these airstrikes have targeted villages suspected of harboring resistance fighters, resulting in civilian casualties and mass displacement. Local officials and human rights monitors say that access to basic services, including healthcare and education, has deteriorated sharply in affected areas.
The report also highlights how cross-border trade networks—particularly those involving jade, timber, and rare earth minerals—are being used to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Myanmar’s military leadership. Analysts note that foreign buyers, including some from neighboring countries, continue to source materials linked to conflict zones, despite public commitments to due diligence.
“The war economy thrives because it is profitable,” said one regional expert quoted in the report. “As long as there are markets for these resources, both sides will keep fighting—not just for ideology, but for control over revenue streams.”
International humanitarian organizations have warned that the combination of aerial bombardment, resource exploitation, and ethnic violence risks pushing already vulnerable populations into deeper poverty and instability. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported in July 2026 that more than 1.8 million people remain internally displaced across Myanmar, with funding shortfalls limiting aid delivery.
Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since February 2021, when the army seized power from the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. Since then, multiple armed resistance groups have emerged, leading to widespread conflict and severe restrictions on press freedom and civil society activity.
Sources:
– The New York Times, “Airstrikes and Illegal Mining Add to Myanmar’s Troubles”, August 25, 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/world/asia/myanmar-junta-violence-rohingya.html
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Story synopsis gathered from: NYT World — source
