Myanmar’s illicit economy fuels escalating violence according to a new report presented by a UN independent expert during a press briefing on Thursday, describing the nation’s human rights situation as catastrophic while the war continues without an end in sight. Since the military overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021, the country has faced widespread armed resistance. Special Rapporteur Kelley Anne Eckels-Currie reported that at least 8,384 civilians have been killed by the military up until 15 September 2026. A 100-day peace plan launched by the regime between 20 April and 31 July 2026 failed to improve conditions, with approximately 753 civilians killed during this timeframe alone, and military or paramilitary forces linked to 89 per cent of those deaths.
Military Tactics and Humanitarian Obstruction
The military continues using airstrikes and artillery against civilian targets such as schools, healthcare facilities, religious buildings, markets, and displacement camps. The Special Rapporteur stated that these actions intentionally harm civilians to terrorize them into submission, following the Four Cuts doctrine designed to sever food, resources, humanitarian access, and support networks from resisting areas. Humanitarian operations face deliberate obstacles through telecommunications blackouts, movement restrictions, and checkpoints that stop food, medicine, fuel, and essential supplies from reaching displaced communities. Aid workers also encounter harassment, arbitrary detention, torture, and killings, including three humanitarian workers tortured and killed in the southeastern city of Dawei in July 2026.
The Role of Criminal Enterprises
The UN expert noted that Myanmar’s growing illicit economy now acts as a primary driver of the ongoing conflict rather than a mere consequence. As the formal economy contracts due to war and economic mismanagement, criminal activities such as online scam centres, illegal mining, human trafficking, and forced labour take its place. Profits from these black markets fund military weapons purchases from countries like China and Russia while helping maintain loyalty within junta ranks. Chinese transnational criminal networks form the backbone of these operations, utilizing cryptocurrency platforms like Tether and social media services including TikTok, Meta, and X. Additionally, corruption in neighbouring countries supports this cross-border trafficking, while simultaneous collapses in shelter, healthcare, schooling, and livelihoods affect millions across the nation according to a UNDP report issued on Thursday.
Source: Cosmo News Desk
