Context:

In the midst of Myanmar's brutal civil war, Corporal Thein Htay Aung, a soldier of the Myanmar Army, was captured by the Danu People’s Liberation Army, only to discover his brother Ko Tike Moung among the rebels. This unexpected reunion, while initially frightening for Thein, turned into a bittersweet encounter as they found solace in each other's survival despite being on opposing sides. Thein, who was forcibly conscripted into the military and struggled with meth addiction, began to respect Tike's decision to join the resistance after witnessing the humane treatment of prisoners by the rebels. The civil war, initiated by a military coup in 2021, has devastated Myanmar, displacing millions and fracturing families as it forces individuals to choose sides. Now held in better conditions as a prisoner, Thein reflects on his past with regret, noting the inhumane conditions he endured in the army and expressing relief at his current situation away from the battlefield and drugs.

Dive Deeper:

• Corporal Thein Htay Aung was captured by the Danu People’s Liberation Army during a rebel attack on his base, where he was ordered to retrieve supplies dropped by a military helicopter. His capture led to a surprising reunion with his brother, Ko Tike Moung, who was fighting with the rebels, providing a moment of relief and emotional conflict as both brothers were on opposite sides of the war.

• Myanmar's civil war, sparked by a military coup, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displacement of millions, tearing families apart as individuals are forced into opposing factions. Thein's capture is one of the rare instances where family members come face to face from different sides in the conflict.

• Thein was forcibly conscripted into the Myanmar Army at the age of 18, a fate common in Myanmar, where he spent 20 years in service. Despite several desertion attempts, he was recaptured and punished, and during his service, he became dependent on meth, which was widely used among soldiers to suppress fear and induce compliance.

• Thein's brother, Tike, initially participated in protests against the military government after the coup and later joined the Danu People’s Liberation Army. Their mother, Daw Shwe Mi, supported Tike's decision and instructed him to do what he must should he encounter his brother in battle.

• Since his capture, Thein has experienced a significant change in his living conditions, reporting better treatment and food compared to his time in the army. He is currently overcoming meth addiction with the help of the camp's doctor and reflects on his past with regret, feeling ashamed of his military service and relieved at his new circumstances away from conflict.

• The Danu People’s Liberation Army, unlike the Myanmar military, claims to treat prisoners humanely according to the Geneva Convention, a stance supported by defectors who report more frequent executions by the junta. Thein, now in a former military base captured by the rebels, is among several prisoners who are treated humanely and some have even chosen to join the rebel cause.

• Thein's current imprisonment allows him to spend time reflecting on his past actions and decisions, leading him to respect his brother's choice to resist the regime. Despite being a prisoner, he expresses a sense of relief at being away from the military's oppressive environment and the influence of drugs.