By early 2026, Myanmar’s civil war has evolved into a nationwide struggle, marked by the military junta’s (SAC) systematic use of arson. Since the 2021 coup, over 125,328 civilian homes have been destroyed.

This destruction is a deliberate execution of the "Four Cuts" strategy, designed to sever ties between resistance forces and their civilian support. Despite the junta’s push for "legitimacy" through sham elections, scorched-earth tactics have only intensified throughout 2025 and 2026.

Following the sustained collapse of Afghan poppy cultivation and the ongoing domestic displacement caused by the civil war, Myanmar has firmly re-established itself as the world’s primary source of illicit opium. However, the "Opium Peak" of 2026 is defined less by traditional farming and more by a sophisticated supply chain evolution.

Focus: Why did poppy cultivation expand into new regions like Sagaing and Chin State as a survival strategy for conflict-affected farmers?