(Rangoon) Myanmar’s ruling junta has extended martial law to entire regions where the military is facing fierce resistance from anti-coup fighters, state media reported on Friday.
After extending a nationwide state of emergency for six months on Wednesday, the junta imposed martial law in 37 districts in eight states and regions.
Myanmar has been in chaos since the 2021 coup that toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The subsequent crackdown on dissent sparked fighting in large parts of the country.
This latest announcement indicates that the junta is looking for new ways to root out resistance in areas where anti-coup fighters are active.
The extension of martial law is aimed at “carrying out more effective activities to ensure local security, rule of law, peace and tranquility”, it is written in the state newspaper. Global New Light of Myanmar.
Under martial law, military courts will deal with criminal cases ranging from high treason to a ban on “spreading false news”, which the military has used to jail dozens of journalists.
No appeals will be allowed for sentences handed down by military courts, except for the death penalty, which must be approved by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, the newspaper said.
PHOTO ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
General Min Aung Hlaing
The affected districts are spread across eight states and regions: Sagaing, Chin, Magway, Bago, Mon, Karen, Taninthayi and Kayah.
Junta troops regularly clashed with anti-coup “people’s defense forces” in these areas, as well as established ethnic rebel groups.
Parts of Yangon and Mandalay, the country’s two largest cities, were already under martial law.
On Thursday, state media announced the six-month extension of the state of emergency, de facto delaying elections that the junta had pledged to hold by August.
In comments reported on Wednesday, Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged that more than a third of the country’s districts are outside full military control.
More than 2,900 people have been killed in the army’s crackdown on dissent since it took power and more than 18,000 have been arrested, according to a local watchdog group.