Pro-democracy activists in Myanmar have staged a silent strike in protest against the military government, leaving the streets of Yangon eerily quiet. The military seized power in a coup in 2021, ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. Since then, thousands have died in the ensuing civil war, with activists reporting worsening living conditions, widespread poverty, and increased violence. As the military prepares for elections later this month, many question their legitimacy, with the United Nations labelling the process a "sham" due to the detention and torture of opposition figures. While Wednesday’s silent strike was less impactful than earlier demonstrations, activists cited growing pressure from authorities and public fatigue as reasons. The military says it is searching for protesters involved, with penalties of up to a decade in prison if caught. The strike reflects continued defiance in a country where nearly half the territory is controlled by armed groups resisting military rule. Al Jazeera’s Jack Barton reports. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Myanmar #MyanmarSilentStrike #MyanmarProDemocracyActivists #MyanmarProtests #MyanmarCoup #MyanmarMilitary #CivilWarMyanmar #MyanmarElections #MyanmarArmedGroups #HumanRights