Myanmar torture chief promoted to army leader

Myanmar’s military has promoted General Ye Win Oo, long accused of overseeing torture chambers, to the post of army chief – a move fuelling speculation he could one day succeed junta boss Min Aung Hlaing as commander‑in‑chief.

Ye Win Oo, previously head of the Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (OCMSA), has been central to the regime’s crackdown since the 2021 coup. Rights groups say interrogation centres under his command became synonymous with brutality, with detainees subjected to boiling liquids, sexual violence and beatings. Hundreds are believed to have died in custody, while thousands more remain imprisoned.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has recorded over 700 deaths in junta custody since the coup, including political activists, members of the ousted National League for Democracy and civilians seized during raids. The parallel National Unity Government estimates more than 200 people have died specifically during interrogations.

Despite his notoriety, Ye Win Oo has risen rapidly through the ranks thanks to his close ties to Min Aung Hlaing and his family. Analysts note he lacks distinguished battlefield experience but has earned trust by gathering intelligence on resistance groups and suppressing dissent. His wife, Daw Nilar, is among those sanctioned by the US Treasury.

Observers say his promotion signals Min Aung Hlaing’s reliance on Ye Win Oo to secure the regime’s grip on power. He has accompanied the junta chief at cabinet meetings, talks with diplomats and even raids on the homes of elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

The appointment comes as Myanmar’s civil war deepens, with ethnic armed groups and pro‑democracy forces mounting resistance across the country. For many, Ye Win Oo’s elevation is a chilling reminder of the junta’s reliance on fear and violence to maintain control.

-2026-03-05