In Myanmar’s rural Sagaing region, civilians are paying the price as internet disruptions worsen the dangers of ongoing conflict. Last November, Bee Kyal, a local resistance fighter, sent a warning to villagers about a Russian-made Yak-130 fighter jet taking off from a military base. Using a walkie-talkie connected to village speakers—since internet access was unavailable—he urged people to “stay alert,” highlighting how critical real-time communication has become in areas under attack.
Since the 2021 military coup, more than 7,000 civilians have been killed, with Sagaing among the most heavily affected regions. The Myanmar military has imposed widespread internet restrictions, affecting an estimated 131 townships, leaving communities cut off from vital information. Such restrictions are considered disproportionate under international human rights law, violating the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
For many, Starlink—the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX—has become the only reliable link to the outside world. Schools, hospitals, humanitarian groups, media outlets, human rights researchers, and resistance networks increasingly depend on the service to maintain essential communications, deliver aid, and warn civilians of imminent attacks.
When Starlink access is interrupted, the consequences are immediate and severe, leaving communities vulnerable in a conflict zone where every minute can mean life or death. The shutdowns illustrate how control over digital networks has become a matter of survival in Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
