The rebel operations have, so far, only exposed about 15 percent of the population to violence and fighting. There are about 18,000 refugees from the fighting (out of a population of some 24 million.) About 1,100 have died in the last seven months of fighting. Opposition political parties are discussing joining forces with the rebels to force the king to call new elections. While the rebels want the monarchy, and parliament, replaced with a communist dictatorship, they are willing to work out compromises along the way.