Latest news with #AssistanceAssociationforPoliticalPrisoners
5 days ago
- Politics
Myanmar's military leader puts in rare appearance at event honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK -- The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election.
Nikkei Asia
5 days ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Myanmar's military leader appears at event for Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK (AP) -- The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country - then called Burma - achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The military government is planning elections later this year The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election.
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Myanmar's military leader puts in rare appearance at event honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi was absent from the ceremony for a fifth year Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The military government is planning elections later this year The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Myanmar's military leader puts in rare appearance at event honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi was absent from the ceremony for a fifth year Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The military government is planning elections later this year The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election.
Spectator
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Myanmar's junta is losing its grip on power
A Myanmar military jet continued to fly sorties just over our hidden frontline hospital. Every time it screamed low over the tree line, the entire clinic would crouch down and pray that this wouldn't be the strike that hit us. These hospitals are prime targets; the military has no qualms about bombing groups of wounded fighters and civilians alike. I was on the frontlines in Karenni State, at the township of Bawlakhe, where the resistance was launching a large, multi-pronged offensive to seize one of the most strategically important towns in the region. The two main medics running the emergency ward were a husband and wife in their early 30s, former hospital workers who quit after the 2021 coup and joined the rebellion. They've seen four years of relentless war. The military deliberately murders its own people. I've seen firsthand the destruction the regime's airstrikes cause. While the world looks away as conflict breaks out in the Middle East, at least 6,231 civilians have been killed in Myanmar, including 1,144 women and 709 children, according to figures published in January that were compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the United Nations. By late June, AP News reported that the number had climbed even higher, with more than 6,600 civilians killed in the aftermath of the coup. These numbers reflect a systematic campaign of violence, targeting not only resistance forces, but ordinary people caught in the crossfire. Karenni forces – primarily the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), the Karenni Army, and allied ethnic militias – have maintained strong momentum in Kayah (Karenni) State. Since mid-March 2025, they've pushed a major offensive to retake Bawlakhe, capturing key junta outposts, seizing weapons, and tightening the noose on the military's last holdouts. The fighting has been fierce, with heavy casualties on both sides, and the junta responding with devastating artillery and airpower. Myanmar's civil war has reached its most volatile and fragmented stage since the coup. Resistance forces have gained unprecedented ground across ethnic and central regions, while the junta – once largely in control – is now stretched thin. It is relying heavily on airstrikes, forced conscription, and scorched-earth tactics to maintain its grip on a handful of key cities. Meanwhile, a patchwork of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy militias have captured strategic towns, border crossings, and infrastructure, effectively governing vast areas of the country. Death and despair are constant on the front. But within that chaos, you also glimpse the raw resilience of the resistance. Despite facing a heavily-armed military backed by China and Russia, these young fighters stare down their enemy with fury and focus. 'Even when the warplanes are flying low, we must stay calm and keep our composure,' Bu Boo told me towards the end of the day. 'If we show that we are nervous or alarmed, the other soldiers and medics will start to lose their composure too.' His wife, known as Yo Yo, is just as unshakable. The scene inside the hospital was chaos, yet the medics moved with calm, almost instinctual precision. Every five to ten minutes, an injured fighter was rushed into the base. I could hear the screech of tires as another Toyota pickup pulled up outside, just a couple of kilometers from the front. Bu Boo triaged each case quickly, determining who had the best chance of surviving. Some of the men had gaping holes in their bodies. Others lay limp with collapsed lungs, unable to speak. 'Look at me. Stay awake. Don't close your eyes!' a fighter shouted at his comrade, who was drifting out of consciousness. He had taken shrapnel just under his left ear. His blood soaking through a ragged uniform. Yo Yo managed to stop the bleeding and ordered an immediate transfer to a better-equipped hospital further from the battle line. A few men lifted him into a pickup that served as transport for both the wounded and the dead. After the fighting calmed briefly, a heavy silence fell over the camp. The exhaustion was visible in everyone's faces. Some of the resistance fighters, not yet 25, looked aged beyond their years after four straight years of war. But when you ask them about the future, they light up. For them, there is no other path. They must win. This generation refuses to live in the dark, like their parents and grandparents once did. They've experienced peace before. They know the potential of their country. And they understand that to get it back, they must fight. They must defeat the junta. At the time of writing, the Karenni resistance was still locked in battle for Bawlakhe, a town whose fall could trigger the full liberation of Kayah State. If they win, other major towns may follow in a domino effect. The battle for Bawlakhe has become a symbol of what's possible when fractured resistance groups unite with shared purpose. Across Karenni State, fighters from once-separate brigades now operate under a joint command, planning ambushes, sharing intelligence, and caring for each other's wounded. Several key junta positions have already fallen, and the resistance is now pressing deeper into the heart of the township. The junta has unleashed relentless air and artillery strikes, torching villages and sending waves of newly conscripted troops into the fight. But it is clear that this regime is no longer fighting from a position of dominance. Many believe it is fighting to survive. The fall of Bawlakhe, when it eventually happens, would mark a turning point in the war in Karenni State, a moment that signals to the rest of the country that the junta can be beaten not just in the mountains, but in the towns it once held with impunity.
