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Late one night last month, a woman heard blasts in a nearby village, then fighter jets circling the area. She hurried outside her home to see smoke rising far away.

"We were terrified. We thought the military's aircraft might attack us too. So we took what we could carry – some food and clothes and fled into the jungles around our village."

She visibly shakes as she tells the account of what happened on 26 November in K-Haimual, situated in Myanmar's western Chin area. She's among thousands of civilians who've fled their homes in recent weeks following the Burmese military initiated a relentless assault of bombing runs, coupled with a land assault in rebel-held areas nationwide.

Some from Chin state have characterized the military's recent operation as the fiercest it has conducted in more than three years. Many of the displaced have found shelter in other regions of the state. Iang is among a group that entered into the Indian state of Mizoram. At present residing in a rundown badminton court in Vaphai village, the group's few belongings they were able to carry are stored in polyethylene bags.

An octogenarian has had to flee his home at the age of 80, residing in temporary huts in forests for days, before finally reaching a secure location.

"We're afraid of our own government. They are exceptionally brutal. Their military has come into our and other villages in the past, they've arrested people, abused them, and burned down homes," he says.

It is difficult to interview Burmese civilians without restriction. Myanmar's military government prohibits open movement in the country for international reporters. It seized control of the country in a putsch in February 2021, not long after the last election.

Civilian Toll and Targeted Strikes

During its latest offensive, the junta recently attacked a clinic in Rakhine State. Insurgent forces in Rakhine claim at least 30 people were killed and more than 70 injured.

A human rights organization reports that over recent months at least several educational institutions and six churches in Chin State have been hit by regime air raids, claiming the lives of 12 people including six children.

Evidence confirms the bombing of a school in a village on 13 October. Two students perished as they were attending lessons. The bombs devastated their classrooms wounding more than a dozen other students.

For a second time, a father and his loved ones – a wife and two young children - have been displaced. Back in 2021, shortly after the coup, their home was destroyed by fire in an air strike. They started over in another village. Now they're homeless again.

"It's hard to express to explain how agonizing and challenging it is and what a difficult decision it was to make to leave. But we had to do it to preserve our lives," he says.

A Disputed Electoral Process

A prominent political group, which won overwhelming majorities in the two elections preceding the coup, is banned from running as the majority of its leadership are in jail.

"This vote is unwanted. Because the military does not know how to govern our country. They only work for the gain of their top officials. When the civilian leadership was in power, we experienced a taste of democracy. But now all we do is grieve and lament," says the refugee.

Another displaced woman believes the election will be fixed. "If we voted for a party opposed to the military, I believe they will steal our votes and claim we voted for them."

The election will occur in phases, with a result anticipated around the end of January. Insurgent organizations have called it a pretense.

Insurgent Frontline and Sacrifices

At a base of a leading insurgent force operating in the state, a vice chairman states: "This process is only being held to perpetuate military dictatorship. It's not about the people's choice."

He indicates the areas where the heaviest clashes is continuing. "Battalions of hundreds of soldiers trying to push into the northern part of Chin state from multiple fronts," he says. "The soldiers are being supported by air strikes, artillery fire and by UAVs."

Visits to such bases is highly unusual. Situated in wooded hills, it is the center of the fight against the junta in Chin state.

At a medical facility at the base, a group of injured fighters were admitted overnight and had to undergo lengthy operations. Some of them have had to undergo amputations.

A significant number were just teenagers when the coup occurred in 2021. Just about adults now, they've abandoned their dreams to engage in combat against the junta.

"During the pullback we ran forward and I stepped on a landmine. We were injured in the explosion. Then we were attacked from the air. The airstrikes make things very difficult for us," states a wounded rebel. "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 consequence of the ferocity of the recent campaign is visible in every corner at the hospital.

Yet, it's the determination and resolve of tens of thousands of youngsters who picked up arms that have helped the rebels make notable progress against a much more powerful rival.

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

"However, I doubt I will live to see democracy restored in Myanmar," he says. "I pray my children and grandchildren can experience it some day."