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In the dead of night last month, a resident heard explosions in a neighbouring village, and subsequently fighter jets circling the area. She dashed from her home to see plumes of smoke from a distance.

"We were horrified. We feared the military's aircraft might attack us too. So we grabbed what we could – some food and clothes and escaped to the forests surrounding our village."

Her face trembles as she narrates the events of what happened on 26 November in her village, found in Myanmar's western Chin region. She's among thousands of civilians who've fled their homes in the past few weeks subsequent to the national armed forces initiated a intensive operation of bombing runs, coupled with a land assault in resistance territory across the country.

Some from Chin state have characterized the regime's newest campaign as the most intense it has conducted in the past three years. Countless refugees have sought refuge in other parts of the state. Iang is part of a group that entered into the Indian state of Mizoram. At present residing in a decrepit badminton court in Vaphai village, the group's few belongings they were able to carry are contained in polyethylene bags.

An elderly man has had to flee his home at the age of 80, living in makeshift shelters in forests for days, before finally reaching a secure location.

"We're afraid of our own government. They are extremely cruel. Their military has invaded our and other villages in the past, they've arrested people, tortured them, and destroyed residences," he says.

It is challenging to converse with Burmese civilians freely. Myanmar's regime prohibits free access in the country for international reporters. It took over the country in a coup in February 2021, not long after the last election.

Civilian Cost and Deliberate Attacks

During its latest offensive, the junta recently attacked a clinic in Rakhine State. Insurgent forces in Rakhine say at least 30 people were killed and more than 70 wounded.

A monitoring body says that over recent months at least multiple schools and six churches in Chin State have been hit by junta airstrikes, killing 12 people comprising six children.

Verification shows the bombing of a school in a village on 13 October. Two students perished as they were attending lessons. The bombs ripped through their classrooms wounding more than a dozen other students.

This is the second time, Bawi Nei Lian and his young family – a wife and two young children - have been made homeless. Back in 2021, soon after the coup, their home was destroyed by fire in an air strike. They rebuilt their lives in another village. Now they're without a home once more.

"Words fail me to explain how painful and hard it is and what a difficult decision it was to make to leave. But we had to do it to survive," he says.

A Disputed Vote

A prominent political group, which won decisive victories in the two elections before the coup, is not participating as the majority of its leadership are detained.

"We don't want the election. Because the military lacks the ability to govern our country. They only work for the gain of their top officials. When the previous government was in power, we experienced a measure of democracy. But now all we do is grieve and lament," says the elderly man.

Iang Za Kim believes the election will be manipulated. "If we participated for a party independent from the military, I believe they will steal our votes and claim we voted for them."

The vote will take place in phases, with a result projected around the end of January. Rebel groups have called it a pretense.

Resistance Battleground and Sacrifices

At a base of a leading insurgent force operating in the state, a vice chairman states: "This process is only being held to perpetuate military dictatorship. It's not about the will of the people."

He points out the areas where the most intense fighting is taking place. "There are columns of hundreds of soldiers trying to enter the northern part of Chin state from four directions," he says. "The troops are being supported by air strikes, artillery fire and by unmanned aerial vehicles."

Entry to such bases is highly unusual. Situated in dense jungle highlands, it is the center of the fight against the junta in Chin state.

At a medical facility at the base, several injured fighters were admitted overnight and had to undergo hours of surgery. Some of them have had to undergo surgeries.

A significant number were just youths when the coup occurred in 2021. Now young adults, they've set aside their dreams to serve in the conflict against the junta.

"As the enemy was retreating we ran forward and I stepped on a landmine. We were injured in the explosion. Then we were struck from above. The airstrikes make things very challenging for us," explains a combatant. "I've lost a leg, even if I've to give up my life I'm happy to make the sacrifice so that coming generations have a better life."

The effect of the ferocity of the latest offensive is apparent in ward after ward at the hospital.

However, it's the determination and resolve of tens of thousands of youths who picked up arms that have helped the rebels make notable progress against a far stronger rival.

Individuals such as 80-year-old the elderly refugee hope that post-poll, the junta will pull back, and he will be able to return home.

"However, I doubt I will live to see democracy reinstated in Myanmar," he says. "I hope my children and grandchildren can see it some day."