NAYPYITAW — March 30, 2026

Retiring Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, urged the armed forces to carry out their duties with unity under the guidance of their new leadership as he officially handed over his command.

The formal transfer of command, accompanied by a military parade, took place on the morning of March 30 at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Naypyitaw. During the ceremony, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing officially transferred his responsibilities to the former Commander-in-Chief (Army), General Ye Win Oo.

In his farewell address, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing called upon the military personnel to strive together cohesively under the new Commander-in-Chief. Highlighting the enduring nature of the nation and its armed forces, he stated, "As long as the world exists, Myanmar must exist; as long as Myanmar exists, the Myanmar Tatmadaw must exist." He urged the military to preserve its noble historical traditions and to continue operating as an institution that both the state and the public can rely upon.

Reflecting on his tenure, the Senior General noted that he had fulfilled his duties to the best of his physical and intellectual abilities since being entrusted with the leadership role by former military heads. He stated that he had actively worked to build a strong, capable, modern, and patriotic military, aligning with the visions set forth by successive military leaders, including General Ne Win.

He further added that by combining the guidance of past leaders with his own life experiences, he was able to successfully elevate the Tatmadaw's capabilities to be on par with international armed forces.

In response, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, General Ye Win Oo, delivered a speech expressing his gratitude and affirming his commitments to his new role.

The ceremonial handover concluded with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presenting the official insignia of command, the ceremonial sword, and the flag of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief to General Ye Win Oo. In a gesture of respect, General Ye Win Oo then presented a commemorative ceremonial sword back to his predecessor.

Following the formalities, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, alongside the new Commander-in-Chief General Ye Win Oo and his wife, Daw Nilar, cordially greeted senior military officers, their spouses, and other invited guests in attendance.

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NAYPYITAW, March 28 — To withstand potential future natural disasters, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has urged the mandatory integration of resilience and established standards—including strict adherence to Building Codes—into the construction of all new buildings, roads, and bridges.

The directive was the centerpiece of his address today at the Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC-1) during a memorial and rehabilitation ceremony marking the one-year anniversary of the devastating 7.7 magnitude Mandalay earthquake.

The catastrophic tremor, which struck exactly a year ago on March 28, 2025, claimed 3,818 lives across 10 regions and states. In his speech, the Acting President noted that subsequent investigations revealed the majority of these fatalities were the direct result of collapsed structures that failed to meet engineering specifications and building regulations. Consequently, he issued a firm instruction to government departments, private sector engineers, architects, and developers to prioritize the systematic construction of safe, secure infrastructure for the public.

The earthquake inflicted severe economic damage, with total losses estimated at over 7,979 billion kyats and affecting more than 424,000 individuals. Amidst the crisis, Myanmar received a massive outpouring of international support. A total of 1,935 search and rescue personnel and 845 medical experts from 25 nations deployed to the affected zones.

The Head of State expressed his deep gratitude to both domestic and international rescue teams, highlighting that their courageous, collaborative efforts resulted in 653 people being rescued alive from the rubble.

Outlining the state's rehabilitation efforts, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing detailed that the government provided 1 million kyats in financial assistance to the families of each deceased victim. Furthermore, over 1,600 billion kyats were disbursed to support the injured and repair damaged housing. An additional 3,421.975 billion kyats from the National Disaster Management Fund was allocated for the reconstruction of public infrastructure, religious institutions, and cultural heritage sites. Currently, overall rehabilitation works are estimated to be 84% complete.

Citing the World Risk Index 2025, which ranks Myanmar sixth globally for disaster vulnerability, the Acting President underscored the urgent necessity of mainstreaming disaster management protocols across all sectors.

Concluding his address, he emphasized that government action alone is insufficient. Invoking the resilient spirit of "We are stronger, We are together"—which he credited for guiding the nation through the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Mocha, and Cyclone Yagi—he called for unified cooperation between the state and the public to build a resilient and sustainably developed nation for the future.

Along with the Senior General, the ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman of the Commission Vice-Senior General Soe Win and other commission members. Also present in full attendance were ambassadors and diplomats from foreign countries that provided assistance during the earthquake, as well as representatives from domestic and international organizations, donors, and other contributors.

NAYPYITAW, March 26, 2026

Vice Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Vice Senior General Soe Win, has confirmed that leadership changes within the military (Tatmadaw) will take place following the conclusion of the 81st Armed Forces Day ceremonies.

The announcement was made on the afternoon of March 26 during a ceremony held at the Bayinnaung Villa in Naypyitaw, where respects were paid to retired senior military officers ahead of the 81st Armed Forces Day.

Vice Senior General Soe Win stated that regardless of who assumes leadership, the military will steadfastly continue to follow the guidance of its successive leaders and mentors, adhering strictly to established military doctrines and policy guidelines.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the military will continue to faithfully discharge its primary duty of national defense and will work collaboratively, hand-in-hand, in accordance with the policies of the state government.

Attending on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Vice Senior General Soe Win and his wife were joined by Commission Secretary and Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Ye Win Oo and his wife, Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) General Kyaw Swar Lin and his wife, alongside other senior officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief. They paid respects on behalf of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) families to 18 retired senior military officers and 9 of their spouses, totaling 27 honored attendees.

During the ceremony, Vice Senior General Soe Win also addressed the ongoing political transition. He disclosed that a president and vice presidents will be elected in the coming days, leading to the emergence of a new democratic government to which state responsibilities will be formally transferred.

Speaking on behalf of the honored retirees, former President General Thein Sein (Retired) delivered a speech of gratitude. He highlighted that as the upcoming democratic government strives to better the nation, enforce the rule of law, and elevate the public's socio-economic livelihoods, national stability and peace remain fundamental prerequisites. Consequently, he underscored the critical role of the military and urged the armed forces to continuously strive for excellence and high operational capability to fully execute their national defense and security duties.

Following the formal addresses, Vice Senior General Soe Win and the attending senior officers personally and respectfully presented honorary gifts to the retired senior officers and their wives, concluding the event with commemorative group photographs.

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ANGON (March 24, 2026) — U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sonnek visited the Yangon International Mobility Show at the Yangon Convention Center today, signaling a continued effort to strengthen commercial ties and support American enterprises in the local market.

During the visit, CDA Sonnek stopped by the Ford exhibition booth to support the prominent American automotive brand and highlight the U.S. commitment to fair competition for American companies in Myanmar. This engagement emphasizes the importance of a level playing field for international businesses operating within the country.

"We’re proud to stand with U.S. businesses bringing more choices to Myanmar’s auto market!" the Chargé d’Affaires stated during the event.

This visit marks the latest in a series of economic engagements by the U.S. government. It follows a significant agreement signed on February 25 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s regional office in Bangkok, where Myanmar entrepreneurs and U.S. officials finalized a deal for the export of American soybean meal to Myanmar. The Embassy’s active participation in the mobility show, coming just a month after the agricultural agreement, highlights a strategic trend of increasing direct engagement between U.S. diplomatic leadership and Myanmar’s business community.

 Photos: US E,bassy, Yangon

NAY PYI TAW, March 22 – The National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) and the Ministry of Energy have jointly announced sweeping measures aimed at conserving fuel amid ongoing Middle East conflicts that threaten energy supply lines. These measures include a mandatory weekly work-from-home day for government employees and a new rationed fuel purchasing system for all vehicles.

According to a directive from the NDSC, starting March 25, 2026, all government employees will perform their duties from home every Wednesday, rather than commuting to their respective offices. The directive emphasizes that on these designated days, employees must avoid non-essential travel and minimize vehicle usage to maximize fuel savings. Private sector enterprises are also urged to align with this effort by implementing similar Work-From-Home (WFH) arrangements wherever possible.

This directive is a proactive response to prepare for potential energy challenges and shortages stemming from global instability. The NDSC Information Team clarified that while current fuel reserves are sufficient, this is a preemptive measure to ensure long-term stability in line with the global situation.

Concurrently, the Ministry of Energy is introducing a new rationed fuel system starting the first week of April 2026. This system will utilize a Bar Code scan for cars and a QR Code for motorcycles to regulate fuel purchases at all filling stations nationwide.

The main highlights of this new system include:

    Restricted Frequency: Vehicles will be limited to purchasing fuel a maximum of two times per week, based on their engine power quotas. This total amount can be purchased at once or split into two times.

    Technological Monitoring: The system will automatically check vehicle eligibility to prevent multiple daily fill-ups.

    Sufficient Reserves: The Ministry of Energy reassured the public that Myanmar currently maintains a 50-day reserve of fuel and is securing new import routes, urging citizens not to panic-buy or hoard.

Non-compliance with the new regulations, especially by fuel business owners overcharging or misusing the system, will lead to serious legal action, including the revocation of licenses.

These combined measures on transportation and purchasing are intended to effectively manage Myanmar’s fuel consumption and ensure equitable access to energy resources for all citizens until further notice.

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NAYPYIDAW — March 19, 2026 — In one of the largest mass returns to date, more than 500 members of the People's Defense Force (PDF) have laid down their arms and returned to the legal fold en masse, authorities announced Thursday.

According to official statements, a total of 506 individuals—comprising 453 men and 53 women—handed over their weapons and ammunition to authorities. The state government has maintained an open invitation for members of armed resistance groups to re-enter the legal fold, promising necessary assistance and support upon their return to civilian life.

Official reports attribute this massive influx to recent military operations in the Mandalay Region. Authorities stated that Tatmadaw columns have recently recaptured several areas previously controlled by PDF-allied groups, resulting in demoralization among the armed members and prompting them to abandon the armed struggle.

A formal ceremony to officially hand the individuals over to their parents and guardians was held today at the parade ground of the Central Command.

The reunification event was attended by Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, Central Command Commander Brigadier General Aung Htay, various departmental officials, the returnees, their families, and invited guests.

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