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During the evening last month, a resident heard blasts in a neighbouring village, followed by military aircraft circling the area. She ran out her home to see plumes of smoke from a distance.

"We were petrified. We thought the regime's jets would bomb us too. So we took what we could carry – some food and clothes and fled into the forests around our village."

She visibly shakes as she narrates the events of what occurred on 26 November in her community, found in Myanmar's western Chin area. She's among countless residents who've evacuated their homes in recent weeks after the national armed forces initiated a fierce campaign of aerial attacks, alongside infantry advances in resistance territory across the country.

People in Chin state have labeled the military's recent operation as the most intense it has unleashed in more than three years. Countless refugees have found shelter in different areas of the state. Iang is part of a group that crossed the border into India's Mizoram state. At present residing in a decrepit badminton court in Vaphai, the group's meager possessions they were able to carry are stored in sacks.

Ral Uk Thang has had to abandon his residence at the age of 80, living in makeshift shelters in the wilderness for days, before finally making it to safety.

"We're afraid of our own government. They are extremely cruel. Their military has entered our and other villages in the past, they've detained individuals, tortured them, and set houses ablaze," he says.

It is difficult to speak to Burmese civilians openly. Myanmar's regime restricts unfettered entry in the country for foreign journalists. It seized control of the country in a military takeover in February 2021, shortly after the last election.

Humanitarian Cost and Targeted Attacks

During its latest offensive, the junta in the past week targeted a hospital in a western state. Rebel groups in Rakhine say at least 30 people were lost their lives and more than 70 hurt.

A human rights organization says that from September onward at least three schools and six churches in Chin State have been attacked by junta airstrikes, claiming the lives of 12 people among them six children.

Evidence confirms the bombing of a school in a village on 13 October. Two students were killed as they were in class. The bombs ripped through their classrooms wounding more than a dozen other students.

This is the second time, a man and his small family – a wife and two young children - have been uprooted. In 2021, following the coup, their home was razed in an air strike. They started over in another village. Now they're without a home once more.

"I can't find the words to explain how painful and hard it is and what a heart-wrenching call it was to make to leave. But we had to do it to stay alive," he says.

A Questioned Vote

A prominent political group, which won decisive victories in the two elections preceding the coup, is not participating as the majority of its leadership are in jail.

"This vote is unwanted. Because the military is incapable of govern our country. They only work for the interest of their high-ranking leaders. When the previous government was in power, we experienced a measure of democracy. But now all we do is cry and shed tears," says the refugee.

Another displaced woman believes the election will be manipulated. "If we participated for a party independent from the military, I believe they will steal our votes and claim we voted for them."

The poll will take place in phases, with a result expected around the end of January. Resistance forces have called it a pretense.

Insurgent Battleground and Losses

In a headquarters of a prominent rebel group operating in the state, a leader states: "This election is only being held to perpetuate military dictatorship. It's not about the will of the people."

He points out the areas where the most intense fighting is continuing. "Units of hundreds of soldiers trying to advance into the northern part of Chin state from four directions," he says. "The troops are being aided by air strikes, artillery fire and by unmanned aerial vehicles."

Entry to such bases is very limited. Situated in wooded hills, it is the core of the opposition to the junta in Chin state.

In a hospital at the base, numerous injured fighters had arrived overnight and had to undergo extensive medical procedures. Some of them have had to undergo amputations.

A significant number were just youths when the coup occurred in 2021. Recently come of age, they've let go of their dreams to serve in the conflict against the junta.

"As the enemy was retreating we ran forward and I triggered a landmine. We were injured in the explosion. Then we were attacked from the air. The airstrikes make things very difficult for us," explains a combatant. "Despite my injury, even if I've to give up my life I'm happy to make the sacrifice so that those who follow have a brighter future."

The impact of the intensity of the recent campaign is visible in room after room at the hospital.

However, it's the support and grit of countless numbers of young people who picked up arms that have helped the rebels make rapid advances against a far stronger rival.

People including 80-year-old the elderly refugee hope that following the vote, the junta will withdraw, and he will be able to repatriate.

"But I don't think I will live to see democracy restored in Myanmar," he says. "I hope my children and grandchildren can see it some day."