Trending

Defecting online: How soldiers are deserting the Burmese army


Listen Later

Myanmar has been engulfed by a civil war which is getting deadlier and more violent as time goes on. Last year the Tatmadaw – the Burmese armed forces – overthrew the civilian-led government, led by Aung Sun Suu Kyi. Now they’re acting with impunity, allegedly committing heinous crimes against those who oppose them.

In the past year many Tatmadaw soldiers – thousands, according to the opposition – have had second thoughts about their military service and are defecting to the other side. Trending has spoken to several of the defectors. They told us how they changed their minds, how they used social media to connect with the rebels and how they’re now using online tools to work against the military leaders they once served.

Presenter: Reha Kansara

Photo: Burmese soldiers line up with guns hoisted

Photo Credit: Getty Images

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

TrendingBy BBC World Service

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

44 ratings


More shows like Trending

View all
The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,798 Listeners

CrowdScience by BBC World Service

CrowdScience

475 Listeners

Cyber Hack by BBC World Service

Cyber Hack

1,639 Listeners

Manchester Arena Bomb: Stories of Hope by BBC Sounds

Manchester Arena Bomb: Stories of Hope

0 Listeners

When I Was 25 by BBC Radio Ulster

When I Was 25

0 Listeners

QUB Talks 100 – The Partition of Ireland: Causes and Consequences by BBC Radio Ulster

QUB Talks 100 – The Partition of Ireland: Causes and Consequences

0 Listeners

The Listening Project by BBC Radio 4

The Listening Project

6 Listeners

Descendants by BBC Radio 4

Descendants

13 Listeners

Що це було by BBC Ukrainian Audio

Що це було

4 Listeners

Siarad Moel: Podlediad Aled Hughes by BBC Radio Cymru

Siarad Moel: Podlediad Aled Hughes

1 Listeners

The Great Post Office Trial by BBC Radio 4

The Great Post Office Trial

37 Listeners

Би-Би-Си Кыргыз кызматы 25 жыл ободо by BBC Kyrgyz Radio

Би-Би-Си Кыргыз кызматы 25 жыл ободо

0 Listeners

Dad Boys with Dave Elliott and Shane Todd by BBC Radio Ulster

Dad Boys with Dave Elliott and Shane Todd

2 Listeners