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Not far behind the front lines on one of Myanmar’s several battlefronts, detachments of women in fatigues remain vigilant and ready to fulfil, on command, the essential duties assigned to them.

Each has a different function, but all share the same fundamental responsibility: providing the aid and support that makes it possible for their comrades to win on the battlefield.

Sandar, one of the first recruits to complete basic military training in late 2021, now administrative duties as part of the Mandalay People’s Defence Force (MDY-PDF), a group of anti-junta resistance fighters under the command of the publicly mandated National Unity Government.

As the armed resistance continues to gain ground against the military junta, more women are taking up roles within independent resistance units throughout Myanmar, contributing actively to the cause of overthrowing the military dictatorship.

While relatively few are going into battle, female soldiers are involved in other essential parts of the resistance’s operations including military training, medical support, and deploying remote controlled drones against the enemy.

Sandar, who used to work as a tour guide in Bagan in Mandalay Region’s Nyaung-U Township, said that she sometimes comes close to forgetting her gender while concentrating on her duties as a MDY-PDF member.

“Here, everyone is equal. There are no differences between men and women,” Sandar said.

“Our attention is always focused on completing the task at hand.”

The MDY-PDF is an armed group commanded by the defence ministry of the NUG—a shadow government formed and endorsed by ousted civilian leaders in response to the military coup of February 2021.

It has also collaborated with other anti-junta groups not under the NUG’s command. Most notably, the MDY-PDF have fought alongside the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, a predominantly Palaung ethnic armed group and member of the Brotherhood Alliance, which in October 2023 launched ‘Operation 1027’, a sweeping offensive campaign against the Myanmar military.

Since Operation 1027 resumed in June following a five-month ceasefire, the MDY-PDF’s fighters have won a series of victories in battle against the Myanmar military in their home territory of Mandalay Region, capturing the towns of Singu, Taungtha, and Thabeikkyin.

Sandar says she joined the armed resistance movement for federal democracy and believes that a civilian government that replaces the reigning military junta will establish a federal democracy granting greater autonomy to Myanmar’s ethnic minorities.

She also believes that building such a federal democracy is a necessary precondition for elevating the minorities’ socioeconomic status within Myanmar.

Sandar is driven, she said, by her profound faith in her organisation’s goals, and believes it is on the right path towards achieving them.

While acknowledging that the challenges of life in an austere environment have made her stronger, Sandar says she still yearns for the old comforts of her mother’s cooking, especially when she feels unwell.

“I get cravings for my mother’s soup whenever I’m sick,” she said. “We face a lot of difficulties here and have only limited amenities.”

Although women comprise only 10 percent of the MDY-PDF’s membership, Sandar says their tireless efforts and contributions are key to its successes in war.

Female MDY-PDF members undergoing training (Photo: MDY-PDF)

Drone operations

Maria, one of the youngest female members, was in her late teens when she finished basic combat training after joining the MDY-PDF in October 2022.

Initially assigned as a combat medic, she was later approved for training in one of the MDY-PDF’s drone units.

The drone unit plays a crucial role in protecting and supporting MDY-PDF combat units as they advance into enemy-held territory.  Drones allow for targeted strikes on the junta forces and enable the MDY-PDF to provide additional cover for their frontline fighters.

Members of the drone units often serve close to the front lines under fire from the regime forces’ artillery and aircraft. However, Maria seems undaunted by the stress of performing the complex task under such dangerous conditions, saying she is used to it after participating in multiple combat missions.

“Operating a drone on the frontline is a challenging task, but we’ve learned to stay calm under pressure, especially during enemy attacks,” said Maria, who is now in her early 20s.

When not piloting drones, Maria says she assists with administrative duties and seeks out training to ensure her skills are up to date for any task for which she may be needed.

Female enlistees in the MDY-PDF attend a training session (Photo: MDY-PDF)

Medical service

Kha Yay, 34, says she joined her medical unit to save the lives of wounded resistance fighters after seeing too many comrades succumb to their battle injuries for lack of personnel qualified to treat them.

“There were no medical teams in local resistance groups where I came from.  It took nearly four hours to reach a doctor. Sometimes, we were unable to save the lives of our comrades,” Kha Yay said.

The local resistance group in which she served before joining the MDY-PDF had been based in Sagaing Region.

Kha Yay says she put all her effort into completing the two-month, intensive medical training offered by the MDY-PDF.

The MDY-PDF has become like a second family to her, she added, and because of the group’s disciplined adherence to a code of ethics and respect for its chain of command, she has high hopes for its future.

“We all feel bound by a deep camaraderie and are always ready to help each other. We also share everything we have,” she said.

In addition to treating and serving MDY-PDF fighters, she says she and her mobile team often provide medical aid to civilians to earn their trust and forge bonds with the local community.

Kha Yay added that she will be fully committed to the revolutionary mission of the MDY-PDF until it succeeds, after which she plans to return home and take care of her mother.

“Here, we have the opportunity to prove ourselves through our actions and achievements,” said Kha Yay. “I’m excited to return home victorious.”

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