Five years on the scale of destruction is revealed

Today, February 1, 2026, marks the fifth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. What began as the crushing of pro-democracy protests has ignited a nationwide rebellion, plunging the country into escalating violence, mass arrests, and economic collapse.

The human cost is immense. According to the UN, the war has claimed more than 90,000 lives and displaced over 3.5 million people. Nearly half of Myanmar’s 55 million inhabitants now require urgent humanitarian aid. Adding to the exodus, the junta’s introduction of forced conscription has sent thousands of young people fleeing the country to avoid being drafted into the very military they oppose.

Evidence from Above: The Ruin of Loikaw

Nowhere is the devastation more visible than in Karenni State. To date, over 800 civilians have been killed and dozens of schools have been destroyed. Recently updated satellite imagery on Google Earth provides a haunting look at the capital, Loikaw.

Imagery from November 2025 reveals dozens of blocks—once vibrant rows of houses, shops, and guesthouses—now completely flattened. When compared to photography from just two years prior, the rapid erasure of the city’s infrastructure is undeniable.

(imagery Google Earth May 2023 and Novenber 2025)

As the junta continues its campaign against its own people, the need for international support has never been more critical.