Myanmar’s Military Expands Control as Martial Law Spreads Across 60 Townships

Author: Hadiya Zainab

Naypyidaw, April 24, 2026 (GGPI): In Myanmar, the current situation is rooted back to the year 2021, when Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was overthrown by the military known as Tatmadaw, claiming without broad acceptance that Kyi’s government was fraudulent. This sudden takeover by the militia led to nation-wide protests following the emergence of People’s Defense Forces. The protests, which were initially peaceful eventually turned aggressive, including militias use of force, unjustified arrests, and restrictions on communication. This has led Myanmar into what analysts call an “almost civil war” with risks of going full-scale civil war.

As a result, the military backed government has imposed martial law on over 60 towns including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Shan and Rakhine States as well as Saging, ​Magway and Mandalay regions. Due to this, all judicial and executive authority has been shifted into the hands of the military for a period of 90 days with their new military ​chief Ye Win Oo. The Junta claims this action is necessary to “end armed terrorism” and “restore the rule of law”.

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The situation in Myanmar has important regional implications, especially for ASEAN, which has pursued dialogue but remains limited by its non-interference principle and weak enforcement capacity. Neighbouring countries such as Thailand, India, and China are affected through spillover risks like border instability and displacement, while prioritising stability over direct intervention. Overall, the crisis exposes both ASEAN’s constraints and the wider regional security risks stemming from Myanmar’s ongoing conflict.

Note: The image is AI generated and only for reference

About the Author:

Hadiya Zainab is a BS International Relations student at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Rawalpindi, and a Research Fellow at Global Geopolitical Insight. Her research interests focus on defence studies, regional security, and contemporary geopolitical dynamics, with a particular emphasis on Asia.