Myanmar’s military-backed government, led by junta leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing, has declared a state of martial law across 60 townships in several conflict-ridden regions.
The new emergency ordinances, issued on Friday, are aimed at reinforcing military control in areas that have been the site of persistent unrest despite the country’s transition to civilian rule, reports Reuters.
The ordinances apply to townships in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Shan, and Rakhine States, along with Saging, Magway, and Mandalay regions-territories that have been under varying levels of military restrictions, including curfews, since the 2021 coup.
In a statement released by state-run media, the Myanmar government cited the need to “end armed terrorism” and restore “the rule of law” as primary justifications for the emergency measures, which will last for 90 days.
As part of the martial law implementation, all executive and judicial powers in the affected areas are being transferred to Myanmar’s newly appointed military chief, Ye Win Oo.
This marks the first major action by Min Aung Hlaing since assuming the presidency earlier this year following a widely criticised election that saw a military-backed party take power.
The country has been in turmoil since the military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, sparking mass protests and an armed resistance movement.
The military junta imposed an initial state of emergency after the coup, extending it multiple times before holding elections in December and January, which were widely condemned as neither free nor fair.
