Myanmar has imposed sweeping emergency measures across 60 townships in nine states and regions, handing full administrative and judicial authority to the military as violence continues to spread.

The President’s Office announced on Thursday that the move was aimed at suppressing armed unrest, restoring stability and enforcing the rule of law. Local outlet Eleven Myanmar reported that the order transfers powers directly to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who has delegated them to regional commanders.

Under the provisions, the designated townships are effectively placed under martial law. Commanders now hold direct control over governance and security operations, with the ability to assign responsibilities to subordinate officers depending on conditions on the ground. Military tribunals may try civilians, with punishments ranging from long-term imprisonment to the death penalty in severe cases.

The declaration comes just days after President Min Aung Hlaing set a 100-day deadline for peace talks with anti-government armed groups. He invited both signatories and non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, first signed in 2015, to participate.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power in February 2021, overthrowing the elected National League for Democracy government. Earlier this month, Min was elected president by a military-aligned parliament, consolidating his grip on power.

The emergency order underscores the junta’s determination to tighten control over restive areas, even as rebel groups reject overtures for dialogue. It also signals a further expansion of military authority over civilian life, deepening concerns about human rights and the prospects for peace.

-2026-04-26

Repression is the only language they know