Myanmar (MNN) — Civil war threats loom large in Myanmar. This weekend’s military crackdown on civilian protestors led to the highest death toll since the February 1 coup.
The U.S. cut all trade agreements with Myanmar over the bloodshed. Meanwhile, protestors and armed ethnic groups called for unity against the military junta.
Neither side is backing down, putting believers on edge. “The recalcitrance on both sides have led [my contacts] to firmly believe this looks like it’s heading to civil war,” Joe Handley of Asian Access says.
“They’ve begged us, ‘please pray; pray that this situation does not occur.’”
Believers are not alone in their fears. “I’ve probably heard at least three to five reports within the last four days of a deep, deep concern that this [conflict] could lead to a civil war,” Handley notes.
Myanmar Now Urban monks, health and education staff, and university students march in anti-dictatorship protest in Amarapura, Mandalay on March 12.
(Photo courtesy of Prachatai/Flickr/CC2.0)
“The protesters are so fervent, so strong [in their resistance to] military rule that they are not giving up. The military has the power and is unlikely to give up its current position. They don’t want the democracy movement that was building for many years to continue.”
See our complete coverage of Myanmar’s crisis here.
Myanmar’s silver lining
Asian Access partners say the Lord is moving amid Myanmar’s chaos. One group delivered food supplies to a widow who could not get to the grocery store. “They were able to have a conversation about Christ, and the lady accepted Jesus,” Handley says.
“Sadly, the very next day, 30 people from that community were taken into custody, and they have not seen that lady since.”
According to Asian Access partners, abductions like these are common. “Almost 3,000 people have been detained, and some of those are random detainments,” Handley continues.
“People [are] going into homes in the middle of the night, taking someone in and interrogating them, regardless of any evidence whatsoever.”
Ask the Lord to protect believers as they bring hope and physical aid to people in need. Support Christians in Myanmar through Asian Access.
“Please pray not just for peace in society, but for our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus,” Handley requests.
“They’re feeling that heat; they’re having to do all-night vigils in their homes because the military is coming in and taking people away.”
In header image, protesters rally against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb. 9, 2021. (Wikimedia Commons)
