Myanmar

Why is Myanmar's junta holding an election during a civil war? - explainer

Myanmar’s junta-led election is widely viewed as a bid to legitimize military power amid civil war, low turnout, and the exclusion of opposition parties.

|ByREUTERS
Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup, presides at an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021; illustrative.
Election Commission officials count ballots at a polling station during Myanmar's general election in Yangon, Myanmar, December 28, 2025; illustrative.

Final phase of Myanmar's election underway, military-backed party set to win

Myanmar opened polling stations for the final phase of a junta-led election, with low turnout, ongoing fighting, and a military-backed party poised to consolidate power.

|ByREUTERS
Judges arrive at the International Court of Justice at the start of a hearing where South Africa requests new emergency measures over Israel's attacks on Rafah, as part of an ongoing case South Africa filed at the ICJ in December last year, The Hague, Netherlands May 17, 2024.

Case accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya to open at ICJ

The outcome will have repercussions beyond Myanmar, likely affecting South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ against Israel over the war in Gaza.

|ByREUTERS, SHOSHANA BAKER, LARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF
Police officers stand guard at a polling station inside a school ahead of a general election, in Thingangyun Township, Yangon, Myanmar, December 27, 2025.

Myanmar to free over 6,000 prisoners in Independence Day amnesty amid general election

The junta also reduced sentences by one-sixth nationwide, excluding those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, terrorism, corruption, and arms- or drug-related offenses.

|ByREUTERS

Five protesters killed in Myanmar, US and allies vow to restore democracy

Saturday's calls for protests came as the leaders of the United States, India, Australia and Japan vowed to work together to restore democracy in Myanmar.

MARCH 13, 2021ByREUTERS
People flash three-finger salutes as they attend a funeral of U Khin Maung Latt, 58, a National League for Democracy (NLD)'s ward chairman, in Yangon, Myanmar, March 7, 2021.

Israeli lobbyist will get $2m. to 'explain' Myanmar coup for junta

"It is highly implausible that he could convince the United States of the narrative he’s proposing."

MARCH 10, 2021ByREUTERS
Demonstrators are seen behind makeshift barricades during a protest in Yangon, Myanmar, March 4, 2021, in this still image taken from a video.

Myanmar protesters able to leave Yangon district after being trapped

Thousands of people defied a night time curfew to take to the streets of Myanmar's main city in support of the youths in the Sanchaung district.

MARCH 9, 2021ByREUTERS
A woman shows a three-finger salute during a protest against the military coup in Naypyitaw

Infamous Israeli businessman hired to lobby in favor of Myanmar junta

Since rising to early infamy after trying to sell 3 transport US transport helicopters to Iran, Ben-Menashe moved to Canada to start his own lobbying firm, representing many controversial clients.

MARCH 7, 2021ByIDAN ZONSHINE
Protesters take cover as they clash with riot police officers during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, February 28, 2021.

Myanmar protesters string up women's clothes for protection

Traditionally, walking beneath items used to cover women's private parts is not only bad luck, but emasculating for men in Myanmar.

MARCH 6, 2021ByREUTERS
Traditional clothes hang on a rope as protesters holding shields stand in line in the background during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar March 6, 2021 in this still image obtained by Reuters from a video.

Clashes with protesters continue as UN envoy calls for action in Myanmar

"How much more can we allow the Myanmar military to get away with?" Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener told a closed meeting of the 15-member UN Security Council.

MARCH 6, 2021ByREUTERS
People flash a three-finger salute in front of a casket with a body of a victim who was shot dead during the anti-coup protest, in a cemetery at the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, March 5, 2021.

Diplomat at Myanmar Embassy in TLV resigns following Junta's crackdown

Kaung Htet noted that he has decided to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) "and stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar."

MARCH 5, 2021ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
People flash a three-finger salute as they attend the funeral of victims shot dead during the anti-coup protest in Yangon, Myanmar, March 5, 2021.

Myanmar soldiers on TikTok: 'I will shoot whoever I see'

A spokesman for the army and junta did not respond to a request for comment.

MARCH 5, 2021ByREUTERS
People flash a three-finger salute as they attend the funeral of victims shot dead during the anti-coup protest in Yangon, Myanmar, March 5, 2021.

Electricity out in Myanmar, soldiers threaten protesters: 'I will shoot'

One video shows a man in army fatigues aiming an assault rifle at the camera and addressing protesters: "I will shoot in your f***ing faces... and I'm using real bullets."

MARCH 5, 2021ByREUTERS
Demonstrators are seen behind makeshift barricades during a protest in Yangon, Myanmar, March 4, 2021, in this still image taken from a video.

Myanmar diplomatic revolt against junta widens after violent crackdown

"The stone age is over, we're not scared because you threaten us."

MARCH 5, 2021ByREUTERS
Demonstrators protest against the military coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Yangon, Myanmar, February 6, 2021.