The Chin people, a diverse ethnic group in northwestern Myanmar, have faced systemic discrimination, forced labor, and religious persecution under successive military regimes. Since the 2021 coup, many young Chin joined the resistance, forming the Chin Defence Forces (CDF), the Chin National Defense Forces (CNDF), and supporting the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) to oppose the junta. The Chin National Army (CNA), the armed wing of the Chin National Front (CNF), has also played a significant role in the armed resistance, leveraging its long-standing experience in defending Chin interests and promoting self-determination. Civilian disobedience movements have seen professionals abandon their roles under military authority to manage local schools, medical facilities, and governance in resistance-controlled areas.
However, the military’s relentless airstrikes and artillery have devastated Chin State, targeting civilians alongside resistance fighters. Villages and towns have been razed, displacing hundreds of thousands. Thantlang town, burned and shelled since September 2021, became emblematic of this destruction, with its 10,000 residents forced to flee. The Myanmar military employs combat helicopters and airstrikes, exacerbating civilian casualties.
The Chin region's rugged terrain, lack of infrastructure, and military checkpoints severely hinder humanitarian aid delivery. These factors, combined with systematic neglect of development and ongoing military offensives, have left Chin State impoverished, underdeveloped, and ravaged by conflict, with dire consequences for its civilian population. The involvement of groups like the CNA, CNDF, CDF, and PDF underscores the Chin people's determination to resist oppression despite the staggering toll of the ongoing conflict.
Chin combattant part of the Chin Defence Force in a mountain hide-out in an undisclosed area in Lautu. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Check-point in Hnaring, the main town of the Lautu region in central Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Forces returning from the frontline. Falam township, Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022
The commander of the local Chin Defence Forces inpecting the defensive lines in the mountains near the access roads leading to central Chin State. Lautu region, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Force on a frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Chin National Defence Forces frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Combattants of the Chin Defence Forces (CDF) in their base. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Thantlang town seen from the Chin Defence Forces (CDF) position in the mountains. Thantlang was burnt to the ground by Tatmadaw, the Burmese military in September 2021. The civilian Chin population fled and now the city is divided in two between the Chin Forces on one side and the Myanmar military in the area around their base. CDF positions overlooking Thantlang, Chin, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Forces on a frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Workshop for weapons, mortar, mines and rocket propelled grenades (RPG). Since the military coup and the uprising of People Defence Forces (PDF) and minority armed resistance groups many artisanal weapon workshops are appearing in those PDF controlled areas. Because of its rudimentary character many fatal accidents occur while operating the improvised devices. Undisclosed location in Myanmar, September 2022
Chin Defence Forces (CDF) defence lines in the mountains surrounding Thantlang. A city where heavy fighting is taking place ever since the town was burnt and shelled by the Myanmar military. All civilian population has fled to nearby villages or India. Thantlang, Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin Defence Force (CDF) unit in an advanced mountain camp controlling access roads to the region. Lautu region, Chin State, Burma, September 2022
Chin Defence Force (CDF) manning a check-point to one of the access roads to the Lautu region in Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Forces at a frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Chin Defence Force (CDF) base in Lautu region. Myanmar, September 2022
Women part of the Chin National Defence Forces manning an observation post on the frontline. Since the military coup in Myanmar, young women and men have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. Falam township, Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022
Chin Defence Forces (CDF) defence lines in the mountains surrounding Thantlang. A city where heavy fighting is taking place ever since the town was burnt and shelled by the Myanmar military. All civilian population has fled to nearby villages or India. Thantlang, Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin combattant part of the Chin Defence Force in a mountain hide-out in an undisclosed area in Lautu. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Forces (CNDT) digging trenches on the frontline overlooking Tatmadaw positions in Falam Township. Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022
Member of the Chin Defence Force verifying a self-made fragmentation landmine with wire trigger. Lautu region in Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Self-made ammunition for artisanal mortar and rocket propelled grendes (RPG). Weaponary workshop in an undisclosed location in Chin State, Burma, September 2022
Chin Defence Force (CDF) base in the remote region of Lautu. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Forces on a frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Thantlang town seen from the Chin Defence Forces (CDF) position in the mountains. Thantlang was burnt to the ground by Tatmadaw, the Burmese military in September 2021. The civilian Chin population fled and now the city is divided in two between the Chin Forces on one side and the Myanmar military in the area around their base. CDF positions overlooking Thantlang, Chin, Myanmar, September 2022
Young combattants of the Chin Defence Forces (CDF). Since the military coup in Myanmar, ordinary people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin Defence Force (CDF) unit in an advanced mountain camp controlling access roads to the region. Lautu region, Chin State, Burma, September 2022
Check-point near Thantlang CDF advanced position. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Combattants of the Chin Defence Forces (CDF) in their base. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin Defence Forces (CDF) manning defensive lines in the mountains of Lautu region protecting vital access roads. Lautu in Chin, Burma, September 2022
Chin Defence Forces (CDF) defence lines in the mountains surrounding Thantlang. A city where heavy fighting is taking place ever since the town was burnt and shelled by the Myanmar military. All civilian population has fled to nearby villages or India. Thantlang, Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Combattants of the Chin Defence Forces (CDF) in their base. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) HQ in Falam Township. Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022
Chin National Defence Forces on a frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Self-made shells for artisanal weaponary. Weaponary workshop in an undisclosed location in Chin State, Burma, November 2022
Chin National Defence Force at a frontline facing a Myanmar military base in the mountains of Falam Township in Chin State. Since the military coup in Myanmar, people have taken up arms throughout the country to resist and defend themselves against atrocities committed by Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military who supressed civilian rule in February 2021. CNDF Frontline, Myanmar, November 2022
Chin combattant part of the Chin Defence Force in a mountain hide-out in an undisclosed area in Lautu. Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Young Chin National Defence Forces (CNDF) playing a board game during their time off. CNDF HQ in an undisclosed location in Falam, Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022
Chin Defence Forces (CDF) manning defensive lines in the mountains of Lautu region protecting vital access roads. Lautu in Chin, Burma, September 2022
Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) HQ in Falam Township. Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022 observation post from where they can monitor the Tatmadaw miltary base for sudden suspiciuos movements towards their defence positions. CNDF frontline, Falam township, Chin State, Myanmar, November 2022
