Myanmar Junta Imposes Martial Law in 60 Townships Across Nine Regions
Myanmar's military junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, issued emergency ordinances on April 24, 2026, placing 60 townships under direct military control. The decree covers parts of Kachin, Shan, Rakhine, and Sagaing, transferring all executive and judicial authority to the new military chief, Ye Win Oo. The junta cited the need to 'end armed terrorism' following major territorial losses to ethnic armed organizations and resistance forces. The move marks a massive expansion of military rule to consolidate control.