Victory at Meiktila: A Defining Battle for Liberation and Equality in Myanmar

This is the fifth installment in Moe Gyo’s essay submission exploring the role of Burmese women in the revolution against the military junta.

As dawn broke over the hills of Central Myanmar, the morning light painted the landscape in hues of gold and amber, contrasting sharply with the gravity of the situation unfolding at the Tatmadaw airfield at Meiktila. The airfield was used by the Tatmadaw to attack revolutionary forces with jet fighters, helicopters, and drones.

The leader of the National Peoples’ Army (NPA) had issued an urgent call for help, relaying their desperate need to break through the strong defense of the airfield by the Tatmadaw. Thus, it was crucial for the airfield to be taken, not only to destroy the aircraft and damage the runway, but also for the forthcoming assault on Meiktila town itself and soon the capital, Naypyidaw. The message was clear: time was of the essence.

The Call to Action

The WLFM’s command center buzzed with urgency as the leadership gathered to discuss the situation. The gravity of the request weighed heavily on them. They had already made a name for themselves, but this mission would be different. This was not just about their own liberation; it was about supporting their allies in the broader fight against oppression.

"The NPA is counting on us," Hla Thiri Aung stated, her eyes scanning the faces of her comrades. "We have trained hard, and now we must prove ourselves not only as fighters but as strategic allies. We need to mobilize quickly."

Plans were laid out, and within hours, the WLFM was mobilizing its resources. Women fighters equipped with sniper rifles, drones for reconnaissance, and medical supplies began to gather. Every woman knew the risks they were taking, but the resolve was palpable. They were not just fighting for survival; they were fighting for a future where women could exist free from oppression.

The Journey to Meiktila Airfield

As the columns set out towards Meiktila airfield, the atmosphere was a blend of determination and anxiety. The trek was rugged, and the journey was fraught with potential ambushes. However, the women remained focused, their spirits buoyed by the knowledge of their mission's importance.

Among them was Lway Ei Kham Aung, a Ta'ang sharpshooter from Namhkam (Northern Shan State), whose prowess with a rifle had earned her respect among her peers. She was acutely aware of the stakes; failure was not an option. As they marched, she reflected on the stories of the women who had come before her - those who had fought bravely and had fallen as martyrs in the line of duty. Their sacrifices fueled her resolve.

As they navigated through dense jungles and open fields, the women communicated using hand signals and whispers, sharing strategies and reinforcing their commitment to one another. They were not just a revolutionary army; they were a sisterhood forged in the fires of resistance.

Arriving at Meiktila

After a grueling journey, the women arrived on the outskirts of Meiktila airfield, where the sounds of gunfire echoed ominously. The airfield loomed ahead, surrounded by a haze of smoke and chaos. The NPA had been holding their ground, but they were weary, stretched thin against the relentless assault of the Tatmadaw.

The WLFM quickly established a base of operations in a nearby forest, using their drones to scout the area. As they assessed the situation, the reality of the challenge ahead became starkly clear. The Tatmadaw had fortified their positions, making the airfield a daunting stronghold.

"Intelligence reports indicate they have snipers positioned on the rooftops," Lway Ei Kham Aung relayed, her brow furrowed in concentration. "We’ll need to neutralize them first if we’re to break the siege."

The Plan of Attack

The leadership of the WLFM convened to strategize their assault. The plan was audacious but necessary: they would launch a coordinated attack at dawn, utilizing their sharpshooters to provide cover for the NPA forces as they advanced. Drones would be deployed for aerial surveillance, pinpointing enemy positions for bombing from WLFM's drones and targeted assaults by the NPA and WLFMs.

"Every shot counts," Hla Thiri Aung said, her tone serious. "We need to move as one. Stay connected, and we’ll break their lines."

The night was filled with tension as they prepared for the impending battle. Women checked their weapons, adjusted their gear, and shared quiet words of encouragement. They were acutely aware of the danger ahead, but the stakes fueled their courage.

The Battle for Meiktila

Dawn arrived, shrouded in a fog that added a sense of eerie suspense to the battlefield. The WLFM fighters took their positions, hearts pounding with anticipation. As the first light pierced the horizon, the command was given, and they surged forward, a tide of fierce determination and solidarity.

Lway Ei Kham Aung took her place on a ridge overlooking the airfield, her rifle steady in her hands. Through the scope, she scanned for movement, and soon she spotted the silhouette of a Tatmadaw sniper perched on a rooftop. With breath held, she squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out, precise and deadly, and the enemy fighter fell.

The WLFM charged forward, bolstered by the cover fire from their snipers and bombs dropped by the WLFM drones. The airfield erupted into chaos as the NPA, now revitalized by the WLFM's support, pushed alongside them. Explosions rocked the ground, and the sounds of gunfire mingled with shouts of defiance.

Breaking the Siege

Despite the intense fire coming from the enemy, the WLFM fought fiercely. They moved in teams, providing medical assistance where needed and keeping morale high amidst the chaos. The women fought with an intensity that surprised even their opponents. Stories of their bravery would soon ripple through the ranks of revolutionary forces, but in the midst of the battle, they remained focused on their mission.

Lway Ei Kham Aung continued to take out enemy positions, her resolve unshakeable. With each successful shot, she felt the weight of the sisters beside her - those who had fought and those who had fallen and become martyrs. They were her motivation, and she fought not just for survival, but for a brighter future for women and the people of Myanmar with the defeat of the Tatmadaw and patriarchy.

However, as the battle raged on, the toll began to mount. The enemy was relentless, and the WLFM faced overwhelming odds. Despite their resolve and training, the realities of war were harsh. Eight women fighters were martyred as they fell that day, their dreams extinguished in the crossfire, while twenty-six others were injured.

The Aftermath

As the dust settled, the airfield was finally secured. The WLFM, alongside the NPA, had successfully broken the defense of Meiktila airfield, but the cost was steep. The weight of their losses hung heavy in the air as they gathered to honor their fallen sisters. Each woman who had perished represented not just a life lost, but a dream unfulfilled.

"Today, we have shown what women can achieve when we stand together," Hla Thiri Aung addressed the troops, her voice steady, but laced with emotion. "We fought bravely, and we have secured a victory against tremendous odds. But let us not forget the sacrifices made. They will not be in vain."

In that moment, the WLFM earned not only the respect of their allies but also international acclaim. News of their bravery and effectiveness spread far and wide, inspiring women around the world and drawing attention to the fight for liberation in Myanmar. They were no longer just a local force; they had become a symbol of hope and resilience to women throughout the world along with their sisters in the Kurdish Women's Protection Units in the face of oppression and patriarchy.

A New Resolve

As they prepared to move forward from Meiktila airfield toward Meiktila town, the pain of their losses would forever linger, but so would the fire ignited by their victory. The WLFM had proven themselves as formidable fighters, capable of leading the charge against not only the Tatmadaw, but also the patriarchy entrenched in their society.

With renewed purpose, the women regrouped and began to strategize their next steps. They understood that their fight was far from over; Naypyidaw awaited, and with it, the chance to bring about a transformative change for women across Myanmar.

As they looked to the future, the WLFM carried with them the memories of their fallen sisters, determined to honor their legacy through every act of resistance. The fight for liberation was not just a battle against the Tatmadaw; it was a fight for the very soul of their nation, for every woman who had been silenced, and for a future where freedom was the birthright of all.

The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but together, the WLFM stood resolute. The road to the ultimate liberation of the women in Myanmar still remains long, but these women of the WLFM would not walk in fear. They would rise, empowered and united, ready to continue the fight for the final victory over the Tatmadaw and the embedded patriarch in Myanmar society.