In Myanmar's rebel strongholds, internet can mean life or death

Anti-coup fighters escort protesters as they take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Sagaing, in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar on Sept 7, 2022. - AFP

YANGON (Thomson Reuters Foundation): For Zaw Myint Thein, a farmer in northwestern Myanmar, having no internet in the area for more than a year causes many inconveniences - his son is unable to study, he can no longer sell his watermelon crops online, and he feels cut off.

"It's like my eyes and ears are closed," the 45-year-old said by phone from the Sagaing region.