98-432: Military (12) National League for Democracy (9)* Arakan League for Democracy (4) Union Solidarity and Development Party (3) Rakhine State Hluttaw ( Burmese : ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်လွှတ်တော် ) is the legislature of the Rakhine State , Myanmar. It is a unicameral body, consisting of 47 members, including 35 elected members and 12 military representatives. As of February 2016,
196-610: A United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the coup. China and Russia are reportedly the main suppliers of weapons to the Myanmar Army. Chinese foreign direct investment in Myanmar totalled $ 19 billion in 2019, compared with $ 700 million from the EU. The Financial Times argues that Russia is supportive of the junta in order to sell more arms to them. Israel has been known to supply small arms, drones, patrol boats and spyware to
294-595: A state within a state . According to the Constitution of Myanmar , the Tatmadaw is led by the commander-in-chief of Defence Services . Some actions of the Tatmadaw require the approval of the National Defence and Security Council , an eleven-member national security council responsible for security and defence affairs in Myanmar. The president of Myanmar has no command role over the Tatmadaw, though he may work with
392-497: A Burmese battalion in the 70th Burma Rifles, a Burmese company in the 85th Burma Rifles , and seven Burmese Mechanical Transport companies. In addition, three companies ( combat units ) of Burma Sappers and Miners , made up of mostly Burmese, and a company of Labour Corps , made up of Chins and Burmese, were also raised. All these units began their overseas assignment in 1917. The 70th Burma Rifles served in Egypt for garrison duties while
490-406: A defence cooperation agreement. The agreement will envisage exchanging information on international security issues, including fight against terrorism, cooperation in the sphere of culture and vacation of servicemen and their families, along with exchanging experience in peacekeeping activities. Moreover, in response to Naypyidaw's post-2011 political and economic reforms, Australia re-established
588-684: A government housing complex in Naypyidaw. Following the coup, the NLD arranged for the MPs to remain housed in the complex until 6 February. Social media users began calling on MPs to convene a parliamentary session within a government guesthouse, since the group met the Constitution's quorum requirements. In response, the military issued another order giving MPs 24 hours to leave the guesthouse premises. On 4 February 70 NLD MPs took an oath of office , in clear defiance of
686-418: A humiliating defeat for the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw leadership then argued that the excessive media coverage was partly to blame for the failure of Operation "Naga Naing". For example, Brigadier General Maung Maung pointed out that newspapers, such as the "Nation", carried reports detailing the training and troops positioning, even went as far to the name and social background of the commanders who are leading
784-613: A mandatory retirement age of 65 for the Armed Forces' Commander-in-Chief. Min Aung Hlaing , the incumbent, would have been forced to retire on his 65th birthday in July 2021. Further, the Constitution empowers solely the President, in consultation with the National Defence and Security Council , with the authority to appoint Min Aung Hlaing's successor, which could have provided an opportunity for
882-756: A member of the Thirty Comrades , became Commander of North Burma Subdistrict Command (NBSD). Due to deteroriating political situations in 1957, the then Prime Minister of Burma , U Nu invited General Ne Win to form a " Caretaker Government " and handed over power on 28 October 1958. Under the stewardship of the Military Caretaker Government, parliamentary elections were held in February 1960. Several high-ranking and senior officers were dismissed due to their involvement and supporting various political parties. The elections of 1960 had put U Nu back as
980-495: A strength of approximately 15,000. Disillusioned by the Japanese occupation , the BNA switched sides, and joined the allied forces on 27 March 1945. At the time of Myanmar's independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw was weak, small and disunited. Cracks appeared along the lines of ethnic background , political affiliation , organisational origin and different services. The most serious problem
1078-516: A ‘normal’ bilateral relationship with Myanmar to support democratisation and reform. In June 2016, the Australian Federal Police signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with its Myanmar counterparts aimed at enhancing transnational crime cooperation and intelligence sharing. In December 2017, the US imposed sanctions on General Maung Maung Soe , a general of Western Myanmar Command who oversaw
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#17328722326571176-1010: Is the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army , the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force . Auxiliary services include the Myanmar Police Force , the Border Guard Forces , the Myanmar Coast Guard , and the People's Militia Units. Since independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw has faced significant ethnic insurgencies , especially in Chin , Kachin , Kayin , Kayah , and Shan states. General Ne Win took control of
1274-467: The 2008 Constitution of Myanmar was drafted. Between 2011 and 2015, a tentative democratic transition began, and elections held in 2015 resulted in a victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). However, the military retained substantial power, including the right to appoint 1 ⁄ 4 of all parliament members. The 2021 coup occurred in the aftermath of
1372-593: The 2015 election ; after the USDP lost another election in 2020 , the Tatmadaw annulled the election and deposed the civilian government . The Tatmadaw has been widely accused by international organizations of human rights violation and crimes against humanity ; including ethnic cleansing , political repression , torture , sexual assault , war crimes , extrajudicial punishments (including summary executions ) and massacre of civilians involved in peaceful political demonstrations . The Tatmadaw has long operated as
1470-598: The East India Company forces (and later the British Indian Army ), instead relying on pre-existing Indian sepoys and Nepalese Gurkhas to garrison the nascent colony. Due to mistrust of the Burmese population, the colonial government maintained this ban for decades, instead looking to the indigenous Karens , Kachins and Chins to form new military units in the colony. In 1937, the colonial government overturned
1568-532: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had released US$ 372 million in cash loans to the Central Bank of Myanmar , as part of an emergency aid package, to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic . The funds came with no conditions, and without any precedent for refunds. In response to potential concerns regarding proper use of the funds by the military regime, an IMF spokesperson stated "It would be in
1666-559: The Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC). Revenues generated from these business interests have strengthened the Burmese military's autonomy from civilian oversight, and have contributed to the military's financial operations in "a wide array of international human rights and humanitarian law violations." Revenues from MEHL and MEC are kept "off-book," enabling
1764-602: The United Kingdom , France , the United States , and Australia . On 1 February 2021, NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt said that Aung San Suu Kyi , Win Myint , Han Tha Myint , and other party leaders had been "taken" in an early morning raid. Myo Nyunt added that he expected to be also detained shortly. Numerous communications channels stopped working – phone lines to the capital, Naypyidaw , were interrupted, state-run MRTV said it
1862-496: The general election on 8 November 2020, in which the NLD won 396 out of 476 seats in parliament, an even larger margin of victory than in the 2015 election. The military's proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party , won only 33 seats. The army disputed the results, claiming that the vote was fraudulent. The coup attempt had been rumored for several days, prompting statements of concern from Western nations such as
1960-666: The military's crackdown in Rakhine State. The Tatmadaw had sentenced seven soldiers to 10-year prison terms for killing 10 Rohingya men in Rakhine in September 2017. A 2019 UN report revealed the degree to which the country's military uses its own businesses, foreign companies and arms deals to support, away from the public eye, a “brutal operations” against ethnic groups that constitute “serious crimes under international law”, bypassing civilian oversight and evading accountability. In June 2020,
2058-411: The war effort being the important element of the doctrine. The objective was to contain the offensive of the invading forces at the border for at least three months, while waiting for the arrival of international forces, similar to the police action by international intervention forces under the directive of United Nations during the war on Korean peninsula . However, the conventional strategy under
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#17328722326572156-663: The 17th and 18th centuries respectively, the army proved unable to match the military strength of the British Empire in the 19th century, losing the First , Second and Third Anglo-Burmese Wars . On 1 January 1886, the Royal Burmese Army was formally disbanded by the British government . Under British rule , the colonial government in Burma abstained from recruiting Burmese soldiers into
2254-508: The 19th century. The army was organised into a small standing army of a few thousands, which defended the capital and the palace, and a much larger conscription -based wartime army. Conscription was based on the ahmudan system, which required local chiefs to supply their predetermined quota of men from their jurisdiction on the basis of population in times of war. The wartime army also consisted of elephantry , cavalry , artillery and naval units. Firearms , first introduced from China in
2352-577: The Adjutant General Office. The Quarter Master General office also had three branch offices: QG-1 planning, procurement, and budget; QG-2 maintenance, construction, and cantonment; and QG-3 transportation. Under the QMG office were Garrison Engineering Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps, Military Ordnance Corps, and the Supply and Transport Corps. Both AG and QMG office similar structure to
2450-631: The Army in Burma had been placed for command and general administration under [it]. As it was, up to November 1940 Burma was directly under the War Office at home; it was then placed under Far Eastern Command at Singapore. Neither arrangement even bordered upon common sense, but although three times in 1940 and 1941 successive commanders-in-chief urged the authorities in the United Kingdom to place Burma [under India], it
2548-609: The Army shoots, it has no tradition of shooting into the Air, it would shoot straight to hit". Subsequently, the 22 Light Infantry Division, 33 Light Infantry Division and the 44 Light Infantry Division were redeployed to Yangon from front line fighting against ethnic insurgents in the Karen states. Battalions from three Light Infantry Divisions, augmented by infantry battalions under Yangon Regional Military Command and supporting units from Directorate of Artillery and Armour Corps were deployed during
2646-648: The British Burma Army and Army of Burma Reserve Organisation (ABRO). The colonial government also decided to form what were known as "Class Battalions" based on ethnicity. There were a total of 15 rifle battalions at the time of independence and four of them were made up of former members of PBF. None of the influential positions within the War Office and commands were manned with former PBF Officers. All services including military engineers , supply and transport, ordnance and medical services, Navy and Air Force were commanded by former Officers from ABRO. The War Office
2744-749: The Burmese Labour Corps served in France. One company of Burma Sappers and Miners distinguished themselves in Mesopotamia at the crossing the Tigris . After the First World War , the colonial government stopped recruiting Burmese soldiers, and discharged all but one Burmese companies, which had been abolished by 1925. The last Burmese company of Burma Sappers and Miners too was disbanded in 1929. Instead, Indian soldiers and other ethnic minorities were used as
2842-485: The Burmese military. However, the military budget remains opaque and subject to limited civilian scrutiny, and a 2011 Special Funds Law has enabled the Burmese military to circumvent parliamentary oversight to access supplemental funding. Defence budgets were publicly shared for the first time in 2015, and in recent years, parliamentary lawmakers have demanded greater transparency in military spending. The military also generates substantial revenue through 2 conglomerates,
2940-657: The Chief of Air Staff became the Vice Chief of Staff (Air). On 1 January 1956, the War Office was officially renamed as the Ministry of Defence . General Ne Win became the first Chief of Staff of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) to command all three services – Army, Navy and Air Force – under a single unified command for the first time. Brigadier General Aung Gyi was given the post of Vice Chief of Staff (Army). Brigadier General D. A Blake became commander of South Burma Subdistrict Command (SBSD) and Brigadier General Kyaw Zaw,
3038-560: The Export and Import Law, for allegedly importing unlicensed communications devices used by her security detail, after conducting a raid on her home in the capital. The Export and Import Law carries a potential prison term of 3 years and/or a fine, and was previously used in 2017 to prosecute journalists for flying a drone above the Assembly of the Union. Meanwhile, Win Myint was charged with violating
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3136-588: The General Staff Office, but they only had three ASO-III and three QSO-III respectively. The Navy and Air Force were separate services under the War office but under the chief of staff. As per War Office order No. (9) 1955 on 28 September 1955, the Chief of Staff became the Commander in Chief, the Chief of Army Staff became the Vice Chief of Staff (Army), the Chief of Naval Staff become Vice Chief of Staff (Navy) and
3234-800: The Hluttaw was led by speaker San Kyaw Hla of the Arakan National Party (ANP). In 2015 general election , the Arakan National Party (ANP) won the most contested seats in the legislature. However, the ANP does not hold a majority of seats in the legislature due to the 12 appointed seats for military personnel. Myanmar Armed Forces The Tatmadaw ( Burmese : တပ်မတော် ; MLCTS : tatma.taw , IPA: [taʔmədɔ̀] , lit. ' Grand Armed Forces ' ), also known as Sit-Tat ( Burmese : စစ်တပ် ; MLCTS : cactap. , IPA: [sɪʔtaʔ] , lit. ' Armed Forces ' ),
3332-601: The Military Intelligence Service functioned as the secret police of the state. At the height of the Four Eights Uprising against the socialist government, Former General Ne Win , who at the time was chairman of the ruling Burma Socialist Programme Party ( BSPP ), issued a warning against potential protestors during a televised speech. He stated that if the "disturbances" continued the "Army would have to be called and I would like to make it clear that if
3430-470: The Myanmar military. On 27 September 2017, an Israeli court issued an order banning Israeli arms industries from exporting weapons to Myanmar. Despite the ban order, Myanmar military received training and weapons from Israeli defence companies. Myanmar army officers continued their visits to Israeli arms shows. The Myanmar military government did not attend the 27 October 2021 East Asia Summit . The United States and ASEAN (chaired by Brunei ) criticised
3528-502: The NDSC in authorizing military action. The name "Tatmadaw" literally means "Royal Armed Forces" in the Burmese language . Since Burma has not been a monarchy since the era prior to British colonial rule, the word "royal" in this usage is understood to mean "glorious". This name has become controversial in Myanmar, especially since 2021, as many people in Myanmar have opposed the military during
3626-516: The NLD, activists, and a former general. On 13 February 2021, a viral post online showed that the military-run Ministry of Information (MOI) pressured the press not to use the words " junta " and " regime " in the media in the military's first attempt to restrict the freedom-of-press. The military regime issued an arrest warrant for seven well-known activists and influencers including Min Ko Naing for "using their fame to spread writing and speaking on
3724-743: The Natural Disaster Management Law, specifically for waving at a passing NLD convoy in September 2020, thereby violating rules against election campaigning during the COVID-19 pandemic . On 6 February 2021, Sean Turnell , the Australian economic advisor to the civilian government, was arrested. On 8 February 2021 and 9 February 2021, the military government issued orders to impose curfew from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am in Yangon and other major cities and restrict gatherings of 5 or more people in
3822-531: The Prime Minister and Pyidaungsu Party ( Union Party ) led civilian government resume control of the country. On 2 March 1962, the then Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, General Ne Win staged a coup d'état and formed the " Union Revolutionary Council ". Around midnight the troops began to move into Yangon to take up strategic position. Prime Minister U Nu and his cabinet ministers were taken into protective custody. At 8:50 am, General Ne Win announced
3920-550: The State Administration Council was re-formed as a caretaker government , which appointed Min Aung Hlaing as Prime Minister . The same day, Min Aung Hlaing announced that the country's state of emergency had been extended by an additional two years. As the Myanmar Civil War has progressed, the Tatmadaw has become more reliant on military aid from Russia and China . As of 2023, analysts suggested that
4018-433: The Tatmadaw accused China for arming rebel groups in the country's frontier areas. In February 2021, the Tatmadaw detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking politicians after a contested election with disputed results. A state of emergency had been declared for one year. The State Administration Council was established by Min Aung Hlaing on 2 February 2021 as the current government in power. On 1 August 2021,
Rakhine State Hluttaw - Misplaced Pages Continue
4116-446: The Tatmadaw does not approve of. In 2010, conscription legislation was passed that compelled able-bodied men and women between 18–45 and 18–35 respectively to serve up to three years in the military, or face significant jail sentences. Following Myanmar's political reforms, Myanmar has made substantial shifts in its relations with major powers China , Russia and the United States . In 2014, Lieutenant-General Anthony Crutchfield ,
4214-454: The Tatmadaw forces, which saw the Rohingya minority facing oppression and, starting in 2017, genocide . In 2008, the Tatmadaw again rewrote Myanmar's constitution , installing the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in the 2010 elections , which were boycotted by most opposition groups. Political reforms over the next half-decade culminated in a sweeping NLD victory in
4312-482: The Tatmadaw has sustained significant losses due to both combat against the pro-democracy insurgents as well as desertions within the rank and file soldiers. The United States Institute for Peace estimates that the Tatamadaw has sustained at least 13,000 combat losses and 8,000 losses due to desertion . The Tatmadaw itself has acknowledged that it does not have control over 132 of Myanmar’s 330 townships, or 42 percent of
4410-402: The ban, and Burmese troops started to enlist in small numbers in the British Indian Army . At the beginning of the First World War , the only Burmese military regiment in the British Indian Army , the 70th Burma Rifles , consisted of three battalions , made up of Karens , Kachins and Chins . During the conflict, the demands of war led to the colonial government relaxing the ban, raising
4508-498: The civilian arm of the government to appoint a more reform-minded military officer as Commander-in-Chief. Hlaing's lack of power would have exposed him to potential prosecution and accountability for alleged war crimes during the Rohingya conflict in various international courts. Min Aung Hlaing had also hinted a potential entry into politics as a civilian, after his retirement. The activist group Justice for Myanmar has also noted
4606-413: The command of General Staff Office. According to the war establishment adopted on 14 April 1948, Chief of Staff was under the War Office with the rank of major general . It was subsequently upgraded to a lieutenant general . Vice Chief of Staff was a brigadier general . The Chief of Staff was staffed with GSO-I with the rank of lieutenant colonel , three GSO-II with the rank of major, four GSO-III with
4704-423: The concept of total war was undermined by the lack of appropriate command and control system, proper logistical support structure, sound economic bases and efficient civil defence organisations. At the beginning of the 1950s, while the Tatmadaw was able to reassert its control over most part of the country, Kuomintang (KMT) troops under General Li Mi , with support from the United States , invaded Burma and used
4802-405: The country following the announcement. On 10 January 2022, Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for possessing walkie-talkies in her home and for violating COVID-19 protocols. On 1 August 2022, Myanmar junta's extended the state of emergency for another six months, after the leader Min Aung Hlaing 's request to "serve for an additional 6 months". The decision
4900-599: The country in a 1962 coup d'état , attempting to build an autarkic society called the Burmese Way to Socialism . Following the violent repression of nationwide protests in 1988 , the military agreed to free elections in 1990 , but ignored the resulting victory of the National League for Democracy and imprisoned its leader Aung San Suu Kyi . The 1990s also saw the escalation of the conflict involving Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State due to RSO attacks on
4998-421: The country's renewed civil war and object to the usage of the complimentary term "royal" to describe it. As a result, many Burmese people have taken to using an alternative name "Sit-Tat", which simply means "military" with no positive or negative connotations. Some citizens and activists also use the openly derogatory variant "Sit-kwe", which means "dog-soldiers", in reference to the perceived blind loyalty of
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#17328722326575096-480: The country's National Disaster Law. On 17 February 2021, the military issued arrest warrants on six more celebrities for urging civil servants to join the civil disobedience movement. On 26 February 2021, the Myanmar ambassador to the United Nations , Kyaw Moe Tun , condemned the coup by the Tatmadaw. He was sacked from his post the next day. On the same day, a Japanese freelance journalist named Yuki Kitazumi
5194-506: The country's frontier as a springboard for attack against China , which in turn became the external threat to state security and sovereignty of Burma. The first phase of the doctrine was tested for the first time in Operation "Naga Naing" in February 1953 against invading KMT forces. The doctrine did not take into account logistic and political support for KMT from the United States and as a result it failed to deliver its objectives and ended in
5292-476: The country's towns. On 10 February 2024, the State Administration Council activated conscription under the 2010 SPDC People's Military Service Law in response to anti-junta ethnic militias and pro-democracy rebels capturing massive swathes of territory. According to an analysis of budgetary data between FY 2011–12 and 2018–19, approximately 13% to 14% of the national budget is devoted to
5390-492: The country. Dubbed the 8888 Uprising , the civil unrest was sparked by economic mismanagement, leading Ne Win to step down. In September 1988, the military's top leaders formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council ( SLORC ), which then seized power. Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of General Aung San , the country's founder, became a notable pro-democracy activist during this period. In 1990, free elections were allowed by
5488-484: The coup over the radio. He said " I have to inform you, citizens of the Union that Armed Forces have taken over the responsibility and the task of keeping the country's safety, owing to the greatly deteriorating conditions of the Union. " The country would be ruled by the military for the next 12 years. The Burma Socialist Programme Party became the sole political party and the majority of its full members were military. Government servants underwent military training and
5586-404: The coup, the civilian-appointed Union Election Commission had categorically rejected the military's claims of voter fraud, citing the lack of evidence to support the military's claims of 8.6 million irregularities in voter lists across Myanmar's 314 townships. The coup may have been driven by the military's goal to preserve its central role in Burmese politics. The Defence Services Act imposes
5684-576: The coup. During the coup, soldiers also detained several Buddhist monks who had led the 2007 Saffron Revolution , including the Myawaddy Sayadaw and Shwe Nyar War Sayadaw , outspoken critics of the military. 8888 Uprising activist leaders, including Mya Aye , were also arrested. As of 4 February, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners had identified 133 officials and lawmakers and 14 civil society activists in detention by
5782-406: The crackdown against the protests began. The armed forces under General Saw Maung formed a State Law and Order Restoration Council , repealed the constitution and declared martial law on 18 September 1988. By late September the military had complete control of the country. In 2008, the current constitution was released by the military government for a public referendum. The SPDC claimed that
5880-422: The deputy commander of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), was invited to address his counterparts at the Myanmar National Defence College in Naypyidaw , which trains colonels and other high-ranking military officers. In May 2016, Myanmar's Union Parliament approved a military cooperation agreement with Russia following a proposal by Deputy Minister of Defence. In June 2016, Myanmar and Russia signed
5978-548: The early 1950s to cope with external threats from more powerful enemies with a strategy of Strategic Denial under conventional warfare . The perception of threats to state security was more external than internal threats. The internal threat to state security was managed through the use of a mixture of force and political persuasion. Lieutenant Colonel Maung Maung drew up defence doctrine based on conventional warfare concepts, with large infantry divisions , armoured brigades , tanks and motorised war with mass mobilisation for
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#17328722326576076-519: The firewall were widely circulated among Myanmar social media users, which prompts protestors to demonstrate outside the Chinese Embassy. China denied the news as rumours. On 10 February 2021, civil servants at Kayah State protested against the coup, which also included police officers stationed there when they refused orders from their superior to return to work. On 12 February 2021, at midnight, members of Myanmar's military and police arrested government ministers, election officials, senior members of
6174-443: The interests of the government, and certainly the people of Myanmar that those funds are indeed used accordingly." The IMF did not directly address any concerns regarding the independence of the Central Bank, given the military's appointment of Than Nyein, an ally, as governor. On 16 September, the IMF acknowledged it was unable to ascertain whether the military regime was using the funds as intended (i.e., "to tackle COVID and support
6272-451: The junta forces and 26,234 individuals have been arrested. In March 2021, three prominent members of the National League for Democracy ( NLD ) died in police custody, and in July 2022, the junta executed four pro-democracy activists. In honour of the anniversary for Myanmar's 76th year of independence in January 2024, more than 9,000 prisoners are slated to receive amnesty , leading to their release from prison. In February 2024, it
6370-406: The junta's treatment of political prisoners, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen described Myanmar's decision to skip the summit as "regrettable". US President Joe Biden stated: "[…] We must address the tragedy caused by the military coup which is increasingly undermining regional stability," and called for the "military regime to end the violence, release all political prisoners and return to
6468-401: The late 14th century, became integrated into strategy only gradually over many centuries. The first special musket and artillery units, equipped with Portuguese matchlocks and cannon , were formed in the 16th century. Outside the special firearm units, there was no formal training program for the regular conscripts, who were expected to have a basic knowledge of self-defence, and how to operate
6566-531: The military as a result of the coup. Soldiers were seen in Naypyidaw and the largest city, Yangon . The military subsequently announced on military-controlled Myawaddy TV that it had taken control of the country for one year. A statement signed by Acting President Myint Swe declared that responsibility for "legislation, administration and judiciary" had been transferred to Min Aung Hlaing . The National Defence and Security Council – chaired by acting president Myint Swe and attended by top military officers –
6664-482: The military formed a temporary caretaker government at the behest of U Nu , the country's democratically elected prime minister, to resolve political infighting. The military voluntarily restored civilian government after holding the 1960 Burmese general election . Less than two years later, the military seized power in the 1962 coup , which under the leadership of General Ne Win , precipitated 26 years of military rule . In 1988, nationwide protests broke out in
6762-411: The military to autonomously finance military affairs with limited civilian oversight. Between 1990 and 2020, Myanmar's military officers received US$ 18 billion in dividends from MEHL, whose entire board is made up of senior military officials. In the FY 2019–20 national budget, the military was allocated 3,385 billion kyats (approximately US$ 2.4 billion). In May 2020, the Burmese parliament reduced
6860-518: The military's seizure of power. Both were remanded in custody for two weeks. Between 16 February and 1 April, five additional charges were leveled against Aung San Suu Kyi. Armed insurgencies by the People's Defence Force of the National Unity Government erupted throughout Myanmar in response to the military government 's crackdown on anti-coup protests . As of 13 March 2024, at least 50,000 people, including at least 8,000 civilians (570 of whom were children), have been killed by
6958-412: The military's supplementary budgetary request by $ 7.55 million. On 28 October 2014, the Minister for Defence Wai Lwin revealed at a Parliament session that 46.2% of the budget is spent on personnel cost, 32.89% on operation and procurement, 14.49% on construction related projects and 2.76% on health and education. The initial development of Burmese military doctrine post-independence was developed in
7056-419: The military, under the assumption that the military enjoyed popular support. Ultimately, the elections resulted in a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). However, the military refused to cede power and placed her under house arrest. The military remained in power for another 22 years until 2011, following the military's roadmap to democracy , during which
7154-512: The morning of 1 February 2021, when democratically elected members of the country's ruling party , the National League for Democracy (NLD), were deposed by the Tatmadaw , Myanmar's military, which then vested power in a military junta . Acting President of Myanmar Myint Swe proclaimed a year-long state of emergency and declared power had been transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing . It declared
7252-578: The most vulnerable people.") Myanmar's Ministry of Planning and Finance did not respond to a request for comment on how funds had been appropriated. A lobbyist for the military junta reported that the junta would like to improve relations with the United States and distance Myanmar from China, believing Myanmar had grown too close to China under Aung San Suu Kyi. China is depicted in Western media as having hegemony over Myanmar. China and Russia vetoed
7350-478: The musket on their own. As the technological gap between European powers widened in the 18th century, the army was dependent on Europeans' willingness to sell more sophisticated weaponry. While the army had held its own against the armies of the kingdom's neighbours, its performance against more technologically advanced European armies deteriorated over time. While it defeated the Portuguese and French intrusions in
7448-656: The operation thus losing the element of surprise. Colonel Saw Myint, who was second in command for the operation, also complained about the long lines of communications and the excessive pressure imposed upon the units for public relations activities to prove that the support of the people was behind the operation. 2021 Myanmar coup d%27%C3%A9tat Military coup d'état successful [REDACTED] Government [REDACTED] Tatmadaw Bombings and attacks Coup d'états Protests Anti-Muslim violence Related topics A coup d'état in Myanmar began on
7546-505: The outlets were prohibited from publishing and broadcasting in any type of media and by using any sort of technology. On 9 March 2021, Kyaw Zwar Minn , the Burmese ambassador to the United Kingdom, was recalled after he called for release of Aung San Suu Kyi. On 18 October 2021, Min Aung Hlaing announced the release of 5,636 prisoners jailed for protesting against the coup. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners , more than 7,300 protesters remained imprisoned across
7644-576: The primary colonial force in Burma , which was used to suppress ethnic Burmese rebellions such as the one led by Saya San from 1930 to 1931. On 1 April 1937, Burma was made a separate colony, and Burmese were now eligible to join the army. But few Burmese bothered to join. Before World War II began, the British Burma Army consisted of Karen (27.8%), Chin (22.6%), Kachin (22.9%), and Burmese 12.3%, without counting their British officer corps. Compton Mackenzie wrote in Eastern Epic that after
7742-490: The public spaces. On 9 February 2021, the NLD's headquarters in Yangon was raided by Myanmar police . Myanmar's military regime distributed a draft for the controversial Cyber Security Law to internet service providers, asking them to provide comments by 15 February 2021. The law was widely criticised by IT communities as it violates human rights by putting citizens under digital surveillance and severely restricting freedom of speech. News of China's involvement in building
7840-536: The rank of captain for operation, training, planning and intelligence, and one Intelligence Officer (IO). The Chief of Staff office also had one GSO-II and one GSO-III for field engineering, and the Chief Signal Officer and a GSO-II for signal. Directorate of Signal and Directorate Field Engineering are also under General Staff Office. Under Adjutant General Office were Judge Advocate General, Military Secretary, and Vice Adjutant General. The Adjutant General (AG)
7938-675: The recruits were Burmese , with little ethnic minority representation. Many of the fresh recruits lacked discipline. At Myaungmya in the Irrawaddy delta , an ethnic war broke out between Burmese BIA men and Karens , with both sides responsible for massacres. The Burma Independence Army was soon replaced with the Burma Defence Army , founded on 26 August 1942 with three thousand BIA veterans. The army became Burma National Army with General Ne Win as its commander on 1 August 1943 when Burma achieved nominal independence. In late 1944, it had
8036-431: The referendum was a success, with an approval rate of 93.82%; however, there has been widespread criticism of the veracity of these claims, partially because Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar a few days before the referendum, and the government did not allow postponement of the referendum. Under the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw is guaranteed 25% of the seats in the parliament, making it difficult to pass meaningful reforms that
8134-726: The results of the November 2020 general election invalid and stated its intent to hold a new election at the end of the state of emergency . The coup d'état occurred the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was to swear in the members elected in the 2020 election , thereby preventing this from occurring. President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers, their deputies , and members of Parliament . On 1 February 2021, Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi were arrested on charges that independent analysts regarded as part of an attempt to legitimize
8232-435: The separation of India and Burma: These military forces were expanded between 1939 and the end of 1941, but the additional strength was impaired by defects inherent in the organisation as it stood before separation. The small and independent military command now set up had been carved out of the experienced Indian organisation with its comparatively large resources; adequate though this may have been for peacetime conditions it
8330-399: The significant financial and business interests of Min Aung Hlaing and his family as a potential motivating factor for the coup. Min Aung Hlaing oversees two military conglomerates, the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL), while his daughter, son, and daughter-in-law have substantial business holdings in the country. A few days before the coup,
8428-437: The social media that would disturb the nation's peace process". On 15 February 2021, the military deployed armoured vehicles across the cities, in an attempt to silence the demonstrations in the country. Thousands of protestors in different cities across Myanmar had been calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. On 16 February, as protests continued, Aung San Suu Kyi was given a new criminal charge on allegations of violating
8526-599: The soldiers. The Royal Armed Forces was the armed forces of the Burmese monarchy from the 9th to 19th centuries. It refers to the military forces of the Pagan dynasty , the Ava Kingdom , the Toungoo dynasty and the Konbaung dynasty in chronological order. The army was one of the major armed forces of Southeast Asia until it was defeated by the British over a six-decade span in
8624-446: The suppression of protests in and around the then capital city of Yangon. Initially, these troops were deployed in support of the then People's Police Force (now known as Myanmar Police Force ) security battalions and to patrol the streets of the capital and to guard government offices and building. However, at midnight of 8 August 1988 troops from 22 Light Infantry Division guarding Yangon City Hall opened fire on unarmed protesters as
8722-543: Was a brigadier general whereas the Judge Advocate General (JAG), Military Secretary (MS) and Vice Adjutant General (VAG) were colonels. VAG handles adjutant staff matters and there were also three branch offices; AG-1 planning, recruitment and transfer; AG-2 discipline, moral, welfare, and education; AG-3 salary, pension, and other financial matters. The Medical Corps and the Provost Marshal Office were under
8820-482: Was announced that compulsory military service would be implemented. All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 were required to serve up to two years under military command and specialists such as doctors aged up to 45 were to serve for three years. Myanmar, also known as Burma , has been beset with political instability since it was granted independence from the United Kingdom in January 1948. Between 1958 and 1960,
8918-542: Was convened, following which a statement was issued by the military declaring that fresh elections would be held, and that power would only be transferred after they had concluded. The military also announced the removal of 24 ministers and deputies, for whom 11 replacements were named . On 2 February 2021, Min Aung Hlaing established the State Administration Council , with 11 members, as the executive governing body. On 3 February 2021, Myanmar police filed criminal charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing her of violating
9016-528: Was detained by Myanmar officers at the Sanchaung township police station, but he was released hours later after Kitazumi explained that he clearly identified himself as a reporter. On 8 March 2021, state-controlled channel MRTV announced that the Ministry of Information revoked the licences for five local media outlets: Mizzima , Myanmar Now , DVB , 7 Day News , and Khit Thit Media . The announcement stated that
9114-648: Was not done until December 15th by which time it was too late." In December 1941, a group of Burmese independence activists founded the Burma Independence Army ( BIA ) with Japanese help. The Burma Independence Army led by Aung San (the father of Aung San Suu Kyi ) fought in the Burma Campaign on the side of the Imperial Japanese Army . Thousands of young men joined its ranks—reliable estimates range from 15,000 to 23,000. The great majority of
9212-643: Was officially opened on 8 May 1948 under the Ministry of Defence and managed by a War Office Council chaired by the Minister of Defence. At the head of War Office was Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Adjutant General and Quartermaster General. Vice Chief of Staff, who was also Chief of Army Staff and the head of General Staff Office. VCS oversee General Staff matters and there were three branch offices: GS-1 Operation and Training, GS-2 Staff Duty and Planning; GS-3 Intelligence. Signal Corps and Field Engineering Corps are also under
9310-675: Was quite inadequate to deal with the expansion im- posed by a great war. The officers were drawn from the British service and the Indian Army with little hope of reinforcement in time of war except for the untrained resources of Burma. Before the outbreak of war with Japan and for some time afterwards Burma Army Headquarters was simultaneously a War Office, a G.H.Q,., a Corps H.Q. and an [Lines of Communication] Area H.Q. Matters of detail could have been worked out more quickly and efficiently by G.H.Q,. in India if
9408-662: Was the tension between Karen Officers, coming from the British Burma Army and Burmese officers, coming from the Patriotic Burmese Force ( PBF ). In accordance with the agreement reached at the Kandy Conference in September 1945, the Tatmadaw was reorganised by incorporating the British Burma Army and the Patriotic Burmese Force. The officer corps shared by ex-PBF officers and officers from
9506-551: Was unable to broadcast due to "technical issues", and widespread Internet disruptions were reported beginning around 3 a.m. The military disrupted cellular services throughout the country, mirroring "kill switch" tactics previously employed in combat zones in Chin and Rakhine states. All the member banks under the Myanmar Banking Association suspended their financial services. Around 400 elected members of parliament (MPs) were placed under house arrest, confined to
9604-562: Was unanimously taken by the junta's National Defence and Security Council . Armed insurgencies by the People's Defence Force of the National Unity Government have erupted throughout Myanmar in response to the military government's crackdown on anti-coup protests. The military's motives for the coup remain unclear. Ostensibly, the military has posited that alleged voter fraud threatened national sovereignty . A few days before
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