In Myanmar's Chin State, one of the country's oldest tribal regions, February is typically marked by Chin National Day — a celebration of identity and self-governance.
It features traditional dances, woodwind instruments and ceremonial rifle fire.
But this year, few felt inclined to celebrate.
Warning: This story contains graphic details and imagery.
In the days leading up to February 20, military jets bombed mountain towns where opposition forces — many armed with homemade weapons — have mounted a sustained resistance since the 2021 coup.
Locals reported air strikes on the eve of the holiday.
"How can we celebrate when the military killed a two-year-old baby on the eve of National Day?" said a local man, Thuy Win, speaking under a pseudonym for security reasons.
Before the coup, Chin National Day was a public display of colour and community.
Chief leaders with hornbill-adorned headwear and elders were honoured with marching bands and performances.
This year, senior military officials arrived by helicopter for a ceremony in the state capital, Hakha.
Many residents boycotted.
The military's presence at the ceremony was a propaganda play, said Salai Za Uk Ling, director of the Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO).
"By associating themselves with Chin National Day, they are trying to attach themselves to something that is deeply important to the Chin people," he said.
"The military want to project some sort of normalising of the situation — that they are in charge and that they can provide some stability."
Za Uk said it was similar to the approach the junta had taken to recent elections.
"By pushing for a vote in the middle of a broadening civil war, they are trying to demonstrate to the domestic population that they maintain absolute authority over the country's constitutional framework and political future, regardless of the reality on the ground."
Air strikes ramping up
Since September last year — when the junta announced plans to hold elections — local monitors say air strikes have intensified across the country, including in Chin State.
In the last two years, the military junta's air attacks have killed at least 1,728 civilians, according to data from the Myanmar Peace Monitor.
In recent weeks, as the regime prepares to seat a new parliament in April, that campaign has continued.
Villages in Chin State have been bombed, residents say, often in advance of ground troop movements.
"People are really afraid," said Za Uk, the Chin leader.
"As troops advance, they bomb ahead."
CHRO said four school children were among those injured as the military junta bombed a medical dispensary in the town of Thantlang in early February.
"This attack demonstrates clear intent to target civilians and terrorise communities," Za Uk said.
"The deliberate bombing of a civilian village, followed by aerial circling consistent with 'double-tap' strike tactics, may constitute war crimes," he added.
A "double-tap" strike refers to hitting the same location twice to maximise casualties among those responding to the first attack.
The ABC has attempted to contact the junta for comment.
Myanmar resistance under pressure
Myanmar's military is clawing back territory from resistance forces in several key regions, particularly in Chin State and Sagaing Division, in the mountainous, north-western region of Myanmar.
"What we've seen in the last few weeks is the military taking back major parts of resistance-held areas," said John Quinley from Fortify Rights, a human rights group.
"It's not total collapse — but it's erosion. And it's happening on multiple fronts."
Sagaing, long considered a stronghold of armed resistance, has been particularly affected.
Resistance groups across Myanmar operate through loose but crucial networks of support.
Fighters in places like Sagaing and Magway rely on coordination with ethnic armed organisations in regions such as Karenni and Karen states that border Thailand, and when one front falters, others feel the strain.
"If they're fighting to hold one area, they can't support operations in Sagaing or Magway like they used to and redirect manpower," Mr Quinley said.
"These aren't perfect groups, but they are the best alternative to an illegal regime that is attacking its own people daily."
Still, resistance groups continue to control significant swathes of territory nationwide.
In areas under their authority, they are attempting to build parallel governance systems aligned with the shadow National Unity Government in exile.
Push for international accountability
International efforts to hold the junta accountable have moved slowly.
But in a significant move, the government of Timor Leste has appointed a prosecutor to explore potential proceedings against the Myanmar military junta, including its leader, Min Aung Hlaing.
This was triggered by CHRO, which filed a criminal complaint with Timor Leste's Justice Department last month, alleging the junta had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This doctrine of universal jurisdiction permits national courts to prosecute certain grave crimes regardless of where they were committed.
Even if senior generals never travel to those jurisdictions, arrest warrants can restrict movement and signal that impunity is not absolute.
"It's an amazing step towards accountability," Mr Quinley said.
"A small state is saying it will not tolerate impunity."
Human rights groups such as Fortify Rights are also calling for new sanctions on the supply of jet fuel and dual-use equipment such as paragliders and paramotors, which are used by the military to drop bombs.
The junta uses these low-tech aircraft partly because they allow it to avoid international sanctions.
Fortify Rights has documented the Myanmar military's use of paramotors to drop bombs on schools, religious sites and a candlelight vigil marking Thadingyut, a festival of lights.
For communities in Chin State, such legal developments feel distant.
What is immediate is the difficult choices faced when jets circle overhead.
"If we meet on the street, the junta could fire on us," said Khun San, another resident using a pseudonym, who has collected tail fins from mortar bombs fired into villages.
"People are scared of bombing when they go to their bean fields, but we have to harvest, or else we will starve."
