Myanmar faces continued violence amid military consolidation
Myanmar remains in a state of upheaval following the military’s ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021, leading to a civil war that has resulted in approximately 100,000 deaths and millions displaced, reports BritPanorama.
Days before assuming the presidency in an election that restricted opposition, Min Aung Hlaing appointed Ye Win Oo, a long-time ally and former spymaster, as the military’s new commander-in-chief.
Under his leadership, the military has intensified attacks in various border regions, including areas rich in rare earth minerals and vital trade routes. As noted by ACLED, “Reprieve for civilians is unlikely as the junta focuses its efforts on consolidating control following coup leader Min Aung Hlaing’s transition from commander of the military to civilian president in April.”
In the first half of 2026, ACLED documented over a dozen mass killings, resulting in more than 450 civilian deaths, with roughly 40% occurring in the Anyar region of central Myanmar. In May, junta forces reportedly entered Myit Chay township, opposite the ancient temples of Bagan, resulting in at least 40 civilian fatalities, as recounted by local residents.
“About 700 soldiers came into the town, grabbed the belongings of the people here and then beat them and killed them,” said Ye Naung, a 35-year-old resident. While Reuters has not independently verified these accounts, the incident has been included in ACLED’s event database, which tracks significant violence in the region.
ACLED stated, “The military’s tactics in 2026 so far show merely shifting modalities of civilian repression rather than any reduction in its severity.”
Amid this violence, Min Aung Hlaing has been engaging in diplomacy, visiting key neighbouring countries such as India and China. There is also a tentative re-engagement with the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, which had previously excluded Myanmar’s military leaders from its summits following the coup.
Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled for an official visit to Thailand on August 6 and 7, as he seeks further legitimacy on the international stage.
