New Delhi: Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing, who is scheduled to visit India next month, is expected to make a key stop at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree more than 2,500 years ago. The trip, which will include high-level talks in New Delhi, is Hlaing’s first visit foreign visit after becoming the president of his country earlier this year.&nbsp;Bodh Gaya, home to the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, has long served as a spiritual magnet for global Buddhist leaders. Visits here blend personal devotion with subtle diplomacy, allowing nations with Buddhist majorities or significant communities to signal cultural affinity with India, the faith’s birthplace.&nbsp;Just weeks ago, in early May, Vietnamese President To Lam began his state visit to India with a three-day stay in Bodh Gaya. He offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple, and visited the Vietnamese Monastery, reinforcing historical and people-to-people links between the two countries.&nbsp;Such pilgrimages are now an established feature of India’s diplomatic playbook. In 2017, Min Aung Hlaing himself started a previous India visit with an extended stay in Bodh Gaya, where he was personally received by then Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. The gesture was widely seen as a warm welcome, combining spiritual resonance with strategic engagement as part of India’s Act East Policy.&nbsp;Other leaders have followed suit. Japanese prime ministers and Mongolian presidents have made the journey, as have leading figures from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. These visits often coincide with broader discussions on connectivity, security, and economic cooperation.&nbsp;India has invested in the Buddhist Circuit, encompassing Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, through improved infrastructure, international monasteries, and global events like Buddha Purnima celebrations.&nbsp;This is seen as part of India’s ‘Buddhist diplomacy’. By facilitating access to sacred sites and promoting shared heritage, New Delhi strengthens bonds with Asia’s Buddhist nations. For Myanmar, facing internal challenges and Western sanctions, the visit offers valuable international engagement and practical cooperation in areas like border security and counter-insurgency.&nbsp;For Min Aung Hlaing, the Bodh Gaya leg is likely to be more than symbolic. Myanmar maintains deep Theravada Buddhist traditions, and a visible pilgrimage can resonate domestically while signalling alignment with India’s Neighbourhood First approach.&nbsp;

The Bodh Gaya leg is likely to be more than symbolic for Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing. Myanmar maintains deep Theravada Buddhist traditions, and a visible pilgrimage can resonate domestically while signalling alignment with India’s Neighbourhood First approach.

New Delhi: Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing, who is scheduled to visit India next month, is expected to make a key stop at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree more than 2,500 years ago. The trip, which will include high-level talks in New Delhi, is Hlaing’s first visit foreign visit after becoming the president of his country earlier this year. Bodh Gaya, home to the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, has long served as a spiritual magnet for global Buddhist leaders. Visits here blend personal devotion with subtle diplomacy, allowing nations with Buddhist majorities or significant communities to signal cultural affinity with India, the faith’s birthplace. Just weeks ago, in early May, Vietnamese President To Lam began his state visit to India with a three-day stay in Bodh Gaya. He offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple, and visited the Vietnamese Monastery, reinforcing historical and people-to-people links between the two countries. Such pilgrimages are now an established feature of India’s diplomatic playbook. In 2017, Min Aung Hlaing himself started a previous India visit with an extended stay in Bodh Gaya, where he was personally received by then Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. The gesture was widely seen as a warm welcome, combining spiritual resonance with strategic engagement as part of India’s Act East Policy. Other leaders have followed suit. Japanese prime ministers and Mongolian presidents have made the journey, as have leading figures from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. These visits often coincide with broader discussions on connectivity, security, and economic cooperation. India has invested in the Buddhist Circuit, encompassing Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, through improved infrastructure, international monasteries, and global events like Buddha Purnima celebrations. This is seen as part of India’s ‘Buddhist diplomacy’. By facilitating access to sacred sites and promoting shared heritage, New Delhi strengthens bonds with Asia’s Buddhist nations. For Myanmar, facing internal challenges and Western sanctions, the visit offers valuable international engagement and practical cooperation in areas like border security and counter-insurgency. For Min Aung Hlaing, the Bodh Gaya leg is likely to be more than symbolic. Myanmar maintains deep Theravada Buddhist traditions, and a visible pilgrimage can resonate domestically while signalling alignment with India’s Neighbourhood First approach.

The Bodh Gaya leg is likely to be more than symbolic for Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing. Myanmar maintains deep Theravada Buddhist traditions, and a visible pilgrimage can resonate domestically while signalling alignment with India’s Neighbourhood First approach.

Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing to visit Bodh Gaya

Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing is set to visit India next month in what will be his first overseas trip since assuming the presidency in April, according to sources familiar with the arrangements.The visit, expected in June, shows Delhi-Naypyidaw engagement, part of India's long-standing "Act East" policy. &nbsp;Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as President on 10 April, in which India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, signalling continued engagement.During the visit, the Indian minister had called on President Min Aung Hlaing and handed over a letter of felicitations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An MoU was also signed for an Indian-funded school project in Nay Pyi Taw.Bilateral relations have strengthened in recent months. In early May, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi visited Myanmar, the first such trip by an Indian naval chief in several years. He held talks with Myanmar's military leadership on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal, joint exercises, border stability, and capacity building.India has provided significant humanitarian support as well. Following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar in March 2025, New Delhi launched Operation Brahma, deploying aircraft, warships, and a field hospital team that treated thousands of patients.&nbsp; The two countries share a 1,600-km &nbsp;border, making cooperation on security and counter-insurgency critical. Major connectivity projects remain central to the relationship. These include the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, operated by Indian Ports Global Limited, which aims to boost trade. Bilateral trade reached about $2.1 billion in 2024-25, with India importing significant pulses from Myanmar. India is the 4th largest trading partner of the country.&nbsp; For Myanmar's top leader Min Aung Hlaing, the trip represents an important step in upping engagement with one of the largest economies in the world and a key geopolitical player. The precise dates and full agenda are yet to be officially confirmed by either side.

Bilateral trade reached about $2.1 billion in 2024-25, with India importing significant pulses from Myanmar. India is the 4th largest trading partner of the country. 

Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing is set to visit India next month in what will be his first overseas trip since assuming the presidency in April, according to sources familiar with the arrangements. The visit, expected in June, shows Delhi-Naypyidaw engagement, part of India's long-standing "Act East" policy. Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as President on 10 April, in which India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, signalling continued engagement. During the visit, the Indian minister had called on President Min Aung Hlaing and handed over a letter of felicitations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An MoU was also signed for an Indian-funded school project in Nay Pyi Taw. Bilateral relations have strengthened in recent months. In early May, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi visited Myanmar, the first such trip by an Indian naval chief in several years. He held talks with Myanmar's military leadership on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal, joint exercises, border stability, and capacity building. India has provided significant humanitarian support as well. Following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar in March 2025, New Delhi launched Operation Brahma, deploying aircraft, warships, and a field hospital team that treated thousands of patients. The two countries share a 1,600-km border, making cooperation on security and counter-insurgency critical. Major connectivity projects remain central to the relationship. These include the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, operated by Indian Ports Global Limited, which aims to boost trade. Bilateral trade reached about $2.1 billion in 2024-25, with India importing significant pulses from Myanmar. India is the 4th largest trading partner of the country. For Myanmar's top leader Min Aung Hlaing, the trip represents an important step in upping engagement with one of the largest economies in the world and a key geopolitical player. The precise dates and full agenda are yet to be officially confirmed by either side.

Bilateral trade reached about $2.1 billion in 2024-25, with India importing significant pulses from Myanmar. India is the 4th largest trading partner of the country.&nbsp;

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to visit India in first foreign trip since taking office

Myanmar's coup leader and Burmese military junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the military-dominated parliament, formalising his grip on the country's political apparatus for the next five years. Min Aung Hlaing has been ruling Myanmar since the February 1, 2021 coup against west-allied Aung San Suu Kyi. &nbsp;Min Aung Hlaing received 429 votes out of 584 from the MP's on Friday, April 3, overwhelmingly crossing the majority threshold.<h2>Who is Min Aung Hlaing?</h2>Min Aung Hlaing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services of Myanmar's armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, in 2011. In 2017, when Aung San Suu Kyi was the "de facto" head of government, as Min Aung Hlaing led Junta carried out a genocide against Rohingyas.&nbsp;General Min Aung Hlaing did not seem to accept the demands for international justice and his potential prosecution. Further, the military controlled the major conglomerates and wanted to maintain power over the economy. He rose to global prominence following the 2021 coup, which was orchestrated on the pretence of a rigged election victory by the Aung San Suu-led National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2020. The election results were a fair representation of the public sentiment, and the NLD secured a decisive victory. But Aung San Suu had little control over the military, an explanation used by her to distance herself from the scorched earth crime of the military Junta.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-hiding-war-casualties-transparency-concerns-conflict-1775187930197">Is Trump administration downplaying war losses? Casualty reports face scrutiny</a>&nbsp;To transition from a military leader to a civilian leader, he stepped down from the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services on March 30, 2026, handing the military reins to a loyalist, Ye Win Oo. His party, USDP, a proxy of the Tatmadaw (Union Solidarity and Development Party ), won a three-phase election with 80 per cent of the parliamentary seats in December and January, which was termed by the international community as a “sham.”&nbsp;Min Aung Hlaing was further legitimised by Russia, China and India following abstention to prevent any international action against him. All of them wanted a stable government and to maintain their economic and geopolitical interests. They did not isolate him or put international pressure, and maintained a pragmatic stance.&nbsp;<h2>Myanmar Civil War&nbsp;</h2>A civil war has been raging within Myanmar for the past five years since the Spring Revolution in 2021, and over 3.6 million people have been internally displaced. People's Defence Force (PDF) and various Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAO) control roughly 40 per cent of Myanmar territory. The Spring Revolution Alliance (SRA) and National Unity Government (NUG) operate from the liberated area and seek international recognition. “Our vision and strategic objectives are to completely dismantle all forms of dictatorship, including the military dictatorship, and to collectively initiate a new political landscape,” said the Federal Democratic Union.&nbsp;More than 600000 Rohingyas remain under the oppressive rule in Myanmar, among them roughly 140,000 remain trapped in concentration camps. Over 1 million are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh in precarious situations. On June 3, 2021, the NUG pledged to repeal the discriminatory 1982 Citizenship Law and grant the Rohingya full citizenship rights. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing was elected president, formalising military control in the veneer of civilian leadership to maintain international legitimacy. Over 600,000 face oppression; 140,000 in camps, 1million refugees in Bangladesh and 1.3 million internally displaced.

Myanmar's coup leader and Burmese military junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the military-dominated parliament, formalising his grip on the country's political apparatus for the next five years. Min Aung Hlaing has been ruling Myanmar since the February 1, 2021 coup against west-allied Aung San Suu Kyi. Min Aung Hlaing received 429 votes out of 584 from the MP's on Friday, April 3, overwhelmingly crossing the majority threshold. Who is Min Aung Hlaing? Min Aung Hlaing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services of Myanmar's armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, in 2011. In 2017, when Aung San Suu Kyi was the "de facto" head of government, as Min Aung Hlaing led Junta carried out a genocide against Rohingyas. General Min Aung Hlaing did not seem to accept the demands for international justice and his potential prosecution. Further, the military controlled the major conglomerates and wanted to maintain power over the economy. He rose to global prominence following the 2021 coup, which was orchestrated on the pretence of a rigged election victory by the Aung San Suu-led National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2020. The election results were a fair representation of the public sentiment, and the NLD secured a decisive victory. But Aung San Suu had little control over the military, an explanation used by her to distance herself from the scorched earth crime of the military Junta. Also Read: Is Trump administration downplaying war losses? Casualty reports face scrutiny To transition from a military leader to a civilian leader, he stepped down from the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services on March 30, 2026, handing the military reins to a loyalist, Ye Win Oo. His party, USDP, a proxy of the Tatmadaw (Union Solidarity and Development Party ), won a three-phase election with 80 per cent of the parliamentary seats in December and January, which was termed by the international community as a “sham.” Min Aung Hlaing was further legitimised by Russia, China and India following abstention to prevent any international action against him. All of them wanted a stable government and to maintain their economic and geopolitical interests. They did not isolate him or put international pressure, and maintained a pragmatic stance. Myanmar Civil War A civil war has been raging within Myanmar for the past five years since the Spring Revolution in 2021, and over 3.6 million people have been internally displaced. People's Defence Force (PDF) and various Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAO) control roughly 40 per cent of Myanmar territory. The Spring Revolution Alliance (SRA) and National Unity Government (NUG) operate from the liberated area and seek international recognition. “Our vision and strategic objectives are to completely dismantle all forms of dictatorship, including the military dictatorship, and to collectively initiate a new political landscape,” said the Federal Democratic Union. More than 600000 Rohingyas remain under the oppressive rule in Myanmar, among them roughly 140,000 remain trapped in concentration camps. Over 1 million are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh in precarious situations. On June 3, 2021, the NUG pledged to repeal the discriminatory 1982 Citizenship Law and grant the Rohingya full citizenship rights.

Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing was elected president, formalising military control in the veneer of civilian leadership to maintain international legitimacy. Over 600,000 face oppression; 140,000 in camps, 1million refugees in Bangladesh and 3.6 million internally displaced.

Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing becomes President amid humanitarian crisis

Myanmar's junta leader has not been invited to an ASEAN regional summit happening next month, host nation Cambodia announced on Wednesday.&nbsp;

In what can be seen as a fresh diplomatic snub, the junta has been invited to "nominate a non-political representative for the upcoming ASEAN Summits". This means that junta chief Min Aung Hlaing won't be allowed to attend the summit.

Since the military junta seized power last year, ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Myanmar. However, as per AFP, there has been little progress on the "five-point consensus" agreed on with the junta.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar: Bullet fired from ground pierces through fuselage of an aircraft, one injured

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As a result, the group, its leader and ministers have in the recent past&nbsp;been shut out of meetings of the 10-member regional bloc ASEAN. In February and August, junta's top diplomat was barred from attending the bloc's foreign minister gatherings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The five-point consensus calls for an immediate end to the violence in Myanmar. It also urges for a dialogue between the military and the anti-coup movement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmars-suu-kyi-and-australian-economist-sentenced-to-three-years-in-jail-520781">Myanmar's Suu Kyi and Australian economist sentenced to three years in jail</a>

ASEAN's latest snub comes as the United States attempts to pressure the junta through United Nations after an air strike in September killed 11 schoolchildren.

Previously, the August meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers had ended with a rare condemnation of the junta's actions. The ministers had remarked that they were "deeply disappointed by the limited progress in and lack of commitment of the Naypyidaw authorities to the timely and complete implementation of the five-point consensus".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Myanmar's junta leader has not been invited to an ASEAN regional summit happening next month, host nation Cambodia announced on Wednesday. In what can be seen as a fresh diplomatic snub, the junta has been invited to "nominate a non-political representative for the upcoming ASEAN Summits".

Myanmar's junta leader has not been invited to an ASEAN regional summit happening next month, host nation Cambodia announced on Wednesday. In what can be seen as a fresh diplomatic snub, the junta has been invited to "nominate a non-political representative for the upcoming ASEAN Summits". This means that junta chief Min Aung Hlaing won't be allowed to attend the summit. Since the military junta seized power last year, ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Myanmar. However, as per AFP, there has been little progress on the "five-point consensus" agreed on with the junta. Watch | Myanmar: Bullet fired from ground pierces through fuselage of an aircraft, one injured As a result, the group, its leader and ministers have in the recent past been shut out of meetings of the 10-member regional bloc ASEAN. In February and August, junta's top diplomat was barred from attending the bloc's foreign minister gatherings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The five-point consensus calls for an immediate end to the violence in Myanmar. It also urges for a dialogue between the military and the anti-coup movement. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi and Australian economist sentenced to three years in jail ASEAN's latest snub comes as the United States attempts to pressure the junta through United Nations after an air strike in September killed 11 schoolchildren. Previously, the August meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers had ended with a rare condemnation of the junta's actions. The ministers had remarked that they were "deeply disappointed by the limited progress in and lack of commitment of the Naypyidaw authorities to the timely and complete implementation of the five-point consensus". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Myanmar junta's leader won't be allowed to attend upcoming ASEAN summit: Cambodia

Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests.

The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with more than 1,700 people killed in crackdowns on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

Anti-coup "People's Defence Force" fighters clash regularly with junta troops, while fighting has also flared in border areas with more established ethnic rebel groups.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-envoy-says-urged-restraint-from-myanmar-military-discussed-aung-san-suu-kyi-access-465104">ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access</a>

Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing told some 8,000 assembled security personnel that the army would not let up.

The military will "no longer negotiate... and annihilate until the end" groups fighting to overturn its rule, he said ahead of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw.

Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, red and green of the national flag, while state media showed women lining the streets leading to the parade ground to give flowers and place garlands on the marching soldiers.

Meanwhile, anti-coup protesters called on social media for a national "power strike" demonstration on Sunday evening.

Bloodiest Day&nbsp;

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats.

Last year, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalised those protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-in-bangladesh-cheer-us-decision-on-myanmar-genocide-465074">Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide'</a>

The violence was the bloodiest day so far in the military's crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters dead, according to a local monitoring group, and sparked widespread international condemnation.

The junta has become increasingly isolated, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the only foreign leader to visit since the putsch.

The vice defence minister of Russia -- a major arms supplier and ally -- had been due to attend this year's parade but was unable to because of his "country's affairs", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said.

In February a UN expert on Myanmar said Russia -- along with other major ally China -- was continuing to supply the military with weapons, including fighter jets and armoured vehicles.

The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's army.

The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that the country's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.&nbsp;

Since the putsch more than 1,700 people have been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

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Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests.

Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests. The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with more than 1,700 people killed in crackdowns on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. Anti-coup "People's Defence Force" fighters clash regularly with junta troops, while fighting has also flared in border areas with more established ethnic rebel groups. Also read | ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing told some 8,000 assembled security personnel that the army would not let up. The military will "no longer negotiate... and annihilate until the end" groups fighting to overturn its rule, he said ahead of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw. Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, red and green of the national flag, while state media showed women lining the streets leading to the parade ground to give flowers and place garlands on the marching soldiers. Meanwhile, anti-coup protesters called on social media for a national "power strike" demonstration on Sunday evening. Bloodiest Day Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats. Last year, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalised those protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government. Also read | Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide' The violence was the bloodiest day so far in the military's crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters dead, according to a local monitoring group, and sparked widespread international condemnation. The junta has become increasingly isolated, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the only foreign leader to visit since the putsch. The vice defence minister of Russia -- a major arms supplier and ally -- had been due to attend this year's parade but was unable to because of his "country's affairs", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said. In February a UN expert on Myanmar said Russia -- along with other major ally China -- was continuing to supply the military with weapons, including fighter jets and armoured vehicles. The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's army. The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that the country's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority. Since the putsch more than 1,700 people have been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. Watch | Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary

A Southeast Asian&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;said on Wednesday he had&nbsp;urged&nbsp;Myanmar's ruling&nbsp;military&nbsp;to show restraint during offensives and was told by the junta leader there would be no&nbsp;access&nbsp;to ousted leader Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;while her trial was ongoing.

Prak Sokhonn, special&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he sought the release of prisoners including Australian economist Sean Turnell, and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing told him he would consider a request to see&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and other detainees in future.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;was overthrown by the&nbsp;military&nbsp;in a coup last year that sparked chaos and bloodshed in the country after a decade of tentative democratic reform.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-in-bangladesh-cheer-us-decision-on-myanmar-genocide-465074">Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide'</a>

The Nobel laureate is on trial for more than a dozen offences including violating a state secrets act and multiple counts of corruption. She has been found guilty of several crimes already, but has rejected all charges.

Prak Sokhonn said he understood that critics viewed his trip to&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;this week as legitimising the junta. But he added he sees the two-day visit as a positive step towards resolving the crisis, which he said could not be done during Cambodia's ASEAN chairmanship this year.

"The&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;issue is complicated, it needs a long time to solve, we can't solve it during one chairmanship or the current chairmanship," he told reporters on his return to Cambodia.

"I know of various levels of expectations on the visit, I also know of people who want to see a ceasefire and me meeting all involved parties, and the return to normalcy of democracy," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-junta-categorically-rejects-us-allegation-of-rohingya-genocide-464692">Myanmar military junta 'categorically rejects' US allegation of Rohingya genocide</a>

"I understand reasons behind criticism, they don't want me being giving legitimacy to the state councilors," he said, referring to the junta.

Prak Sokhonn's trip has frustrated opponents to&nbsp;Myanmar's junta because it was centred largely on the generals, with most meetings with other parties cancelled.

ASEAN&nbsp;has barred the generals&nbsp;from&nbsp;attending its summits until they see progress in a five-point "consensus" agreed last year to end the violence.

The United Nations last week said the army had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity and was deliberately targeting civilians. The&nbsp;military&nbsp;has yet to respond.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charge amid fresh violence

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A Southeast Asian envoy said on Wednesday he had urged Myanmar's ruling military to show restraint during offensives and was told by the junta leader there would be no access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi while her trial was ongoing.

A Southeast Asian envoy said on Wednesday he had urged Myanmar's ruling military to show restraint during offensives and was told by the junta leader there would be no access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi while her trial was ongoing. Prak Sokhonn, special envoy for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he sought the release of prisoners including Australian economist Sean Turnell, and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing told him he would consider a request to see Suu Kyi and other detainees in future. Suu Kyi was overthrown by the military in a coup last year that sparked chaos and bloodshed in the country after a decade of tentative democratic reform. Also read | Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide' The Nobel laureate is on trial for more than a dozen offences including violating a state secrets act and multiple counts of corruption. She has been found guilty of several crimes already, but has rejected all charges. Prak Sokhonn said he understood that critics viewed his trip to Myanmar this week as legitimising the junta. But he added he sees the two-day visit as a positive step towards resolving the crisis, which he said could not be done during Cambodia's ASEAN chairmanship this year. "The Myanmar issue is complicated, it needs a long time to solve, we can't solve it during one chairmanship or the current chairmanship," he told reporters on his return to Cambodia. "I know of various levels of expectations on the visit, I also know of people who want to see a ceasefire and me meeting all involved parties, and the return to normalcy of democracy," he said. Also read | Myanmar military junta 'categorically rejects' US allegation of Rohingya genocide "I understand reasons behind criticism, they don't want me being giving legitimacy to the state councilors," he said, referring to the junta. Prak Sokhonn's trip has frustrated opponents to Myanmar's junta because it was centred largely on the generals, with most meetings with other parties cancelled. ASEAN has barred the generals from attending its summits until they see progress in a five-point "consensus" agreed last year to end the violence. The United Nations last week said the army had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity and was deliberately targeting civilians. The military has yet to respond. Watch | Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charge amid fresh violence

ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access

Photos of Myanmar's top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Charles Bo, with the country's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing sparked outrage after he was seen cutting a cake with coup leader amid a deadly military crackdown in the country.

Photos of Myanmar's top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Charles Bo, with the country's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing sparked outrage after he was seen cutting a cake with coup leader amid a deadly military crackdown in the country. State-backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that Cardinal Charles Bo met the junta chief on Thursday (December 23) to hear Christmas carols. The meeting was also intended to "talk about peaceful and prosperous affairs" in the country. In one of the photos published by the state media, they can be seen sitting together in front of a Christmas tree. Another photo showed that they were cutting the cake. Meanwhile, in one photo, Min Aung Hlaing was spotted handing over a donation of $11,200. Bo was ordained a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015. ALSO READ | In Maldives Parliament, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina recalls Pakistani atrocities of 1971 The photos have angered the pro-democratic citizens and social media users. People in Myanmar are protesting ever since Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government was ousted by the military junta. In the aftermath, more than 1,300 people have been dead after Junta opposed the protests with a brutal crackdown. Hundreds are injured, thousands arrested if reports by a local monitor are to be believed. There's no certainty over how the prisoners are being treated. After the photos were circulated, some social media users have reacted sharply. One user posted on social media beneath a report on their meeting: "When Christians churches are being burned, even then he [Bo] accepts to meet him [Min Aung Hlaing]." "People shouldn't go and pray where he lives. This doesn't represent Catholic people. Why are you cutting cakes with such a murderer?" another wrote. ALSO READ | Myanmar jade mine landslide: One killed, over 70 feared missing Christmas Greetings on the occasion of the visit of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing; "Christmas is the season of God's reconciling love with human beings"(John 3:16) pic.twitter.com/Z5Cll9q6NB — Cardinal Bo (@cardinal_bo) December 24, 2021 × I wonder how would the people react when you ask them to forgive and love, Ask the people whose homes are burnt, the people whose families are tortured and killed viciously, the people who are now running for life. May the lord have mercy upon you for what you have done. — Naythan🇲🇲 (@NaythanInBurma) December 24, 2021 × Where is the dignity of Jesus? ✝ Mr.Cardinal, are you happy with the killer #MyanmarMilitaryTerrorist ? Do you not think that such conduct would bring disgrace to the Christian Congregation? What is happening in the world? Is the world without humanity and compassion? — Htet (@motokiddies) December 24, 2021 × December is no longer cold in Myanmar. Military Coup [2021 Feb 1] destroyed everything including democracy & human rights. #MyanmarMilitaryTerrorists keep committing #CrimesAgainstHumanity and #WarCrimes.#Dec24Coup #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/01rrjPwBuK — Norah (@NWAYOO221) December 24, 2021 × Political chaos in Myanmar Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government, this year in February. Anti-coup militia have sprung up across the country to fight back against the junta, with some of the bloodiest fighting happening in Christian-majority areas. The United States said in October it was "gravely concerned" about reports that security forces had committed human rights violations and destroyed more than 100 homes as well as churches in majority-Christian Chin state. (With inputs from agencies)

'Cutting cakes with a murderer?': Photos of top Myanmar Catholic with junta chief spark outrage

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the Myanmar junta that seized power Feb. 1, has long been Aung San Suu Kyi’s adversary.

For five years, the two leaders were part of an uneasy power-sharing arrangement in which she headed the civilian side of government and Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the army commander in chief, maintained absolute control over the military, the police and the border guards.

The two rarely spoke to each other.

Min Aung Hlaing is known to be highly ambitious and unwilling to give up power. He faced mandatory retirement in 2016 when he turned 60 but extended his tenure for five years. Soon after the coup, and just before he turned 65, he scrapped the mandatory retirement age for the commander in chief altogether. Many believed he wanted to become president.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-jailed-for-four-years-for-inciting-dissent-against-military-434482">Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi jailed for four years for inciting dissent against military</a>

While a cadet at the military academy, he was known for bullying his juniors and for his tendency to criticize and blame others. His contemporaries gave him a nickname meaning cat feces, an especially vulgar epithet in Burmese.

In 2009, the troops he led in northeastern Myanmar drove tens of thousands of people from ethnic enclaves in what locals described as a brutal campaign of murder, rape and systematic arson.

As commander in chief, he oversaw the ethnic cleansing of Muslim Rohingya in 2017 that killed thousands and forced more than 700,000 to flee the country. He is said to be a tough negotiator who has maintained a strong grip on the armed forces.

In 2008, the previous military regime adopted a constitution that was devised to keep the presidency in the hands of military leaders. It gives the army commander in chief the power to appoint 25% of Parliament and gives Parliament the power to choose the president.

It also barred anyone from becoming president who has a spouse or a child who is a citizen of a foreign country. The provision clearly targeted Aung San Suu Kyi: her husband was a British citizen, as are her two sons.

But that hasn’t been enough of a head start for the hugely unpopular Min Aung Hlaing to win. Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy crushed the military-backed party in 2015 by winning 80% of Parliament’s nonappointed seats. In 2020, she repeated the feat, winning by an even greater margin.

Thwarted at the polls, the general declared her election victory to be fraudulent and led a coup on Feb. 1, hours before the new Parliament was scheduled to be sworn in.

Early that morning, soldiers and the police arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and other party leaders. She has been detained ever since.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the Myanmar junta that seized power Feb. 1, has long been Aung San Suu Kyi’s adversary. For five years, the two leaders were part of an uneasy power-sharing arrangement in which she headed the civilian side of government and Gen.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the Myanmar junta that seized power Feb. 1, has long been Aung San Suu Kyi’s adversary. For five years, the two leaders were part of an uneasy power-sharing arrangement in which she headed the civilian side of government and Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the army commander in chief, maintained absolute control over the military, the police and the border guards. The two rarely spoke to each other. Min Aung Hlaing is known to be highly ambitious and unwilling to give up power. He faced mandatory retirement in 2016 when he turned 60 but extended his tenure for five years. Soon after the coup, and just before he turned 65, he scrapped the mandatory retirement age for the commander in chief altogether. Many believed he wanted to become president. ALSO READ | Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi jailed for four years for inciting dissent against military While a cadet at the military academy, he was known for bullying his juniors and for his tendency to criticize and blame others. His contemporaries gave him a nickname meaning cat feces, an especially vulgar epithet in Burmese. In 2009, the troops he led in northeastern Myanmar drove tens of thousands of people from ethnic enclaves in what locals described as a brutal campaign of murder, rape and systematic arson. As commander in chief, he oversaw the ethnic cleansing of Muslim Rohingya in 2017 that killed thousands and forced more than 700,000 to flee the country. He is said to be a tough negotiator who has maintained a strong grip on the armed forces. In 2008, the previous military regime adopted a constitution that was devised to keep the presidency in the hands of military leaders. It gives the army commander in chief the power to appoint 25% of Parliament and gives Parliament the power to choose the president. It also barred anyone from becoming president who has a spouse or a child who is a citizen of a foreign country. The provision clearly targeted Aung San Suu Kyi: her husband was a British citizen, as are her two sons. But that hasn’t been enough of a head start for the hugely unpopular Min Aung Hlaing to win. Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy crushed the military-backed party in 2015 by winning 80% of Parliament’s nonappointed seats. In 2020, she repeated the feat, winning by an even greater margin. Thwarted at the polls, the general declared her election victory to be fraudulent and led a coup on Feb. 1, hours before the new Parliament was scheduled to be sworn in. Early that morning, soldiers and the police arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and other party leaders. She has been detained ever since.

General behind Myanmar Coup is Aung San Suu Kyi's longtime rival

Myanmar's junta chief on Monday said that the ruling military was committed to peace and democracy, and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consider the provocations and violence being carried out by its opponents.

In his first comments since&nbsp;Myanmar's neighbours decided to exclude him from an upcoming ASEAN summit over a lack of commitment to its five-point roadmap, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the junta's own five-stage plan to restore democracy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-excludes-myanmar-junta-chief-from-attendance-at-summit-421295">ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta chief from attendance at summit</a>

Min Aung Hlaing, who led the Feb. 1 coup that plunged&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;into deadly chaos, made no mention of the ASEAN decision but suggested the outlawed National Unity Government (NUG) and armed ethnic groups were trying to sabotage the ASEAN-led peace process.

"More violence happened due to provocations of terrorist groups," Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech on television, where he appeared in civilian attire. "No one cares about their violence, and is only demanding we solve the issue. ASEAN should work on that."

ASEAN decided to invite a non-political representative from&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;to its Oct. 26-28 summit, in an unprecedented snub&nbsp;to the military leaders behind the coup against Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

Min Aung Hlaing said&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;wanted ASEAN's special envoy, Erywan Yusof, to visit the country as agreed, but some of his demands were non-negotiable. He did not elaborate.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyis-lawyer-says-he-has-been-issued-a-gag-order-420842">Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order</a>

The NUG, a broad alliance of anti-coup groups that includes members of Suu Kyi's ousted ruling party, has backed the training and formation of militias called "People's Defence Forces" behind attacks on security forces in several regions of the country.

The NUG recently declared a nationwide rebellion against military rule.

The shadow government on Monday welcomed ASEAN's exclusion of the junta leader but said the NUG should be the legitimate representative.

Important Step

"ASEAN excluding Min Aung Hlaing is an important step, but we request that they recognise us as the proper representative," said its spokesman Dr. Sasa.

However, he said the NUG would accept inviting a truly neutral alternative&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;representative.

ASEAN's decision was an unusually bold step for the consensus-driven bloc, which traditionally favours a policy of engagement and non-interference.

Watch |&nbsp;1,200 people reportedly killed in Myanmar coup

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/1200-people-reportedly-killed-in-myanmar-coup-419448/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Brunei, ASEAN's current chair, issued a statement citing a lack of progress&nbsp;on a roadmap that the junta had agreed to with ASEAN in April.

A spokesman for the military government at the weekend blamed "foreign intervention" for the decision.

Myanmar&nbsp;has been in turmoil since the coup, which ended a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform. Thousands of its opponents have been arrested, including Suu Kyi.

Security forces have killed more than 1,100 people, according to activists and the United Nations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-to-free-more-than-5000-protesters-after-asean-snub-421743">Myanmar to free more than 5,000 protesters after ASEAN snub</a>

inutes after Min Aung Hlaing's speech, state television announced that more than 5,600 people arrested or subject to arrest warrants over their roles in anti-coup protests would be freed in an amnesty.

It said the decision was on humanitarian grounds and blamed the shadow government for causing the unrest.

Myanmar's junta chief on Monday said that the ruling military was committed to peace and democracy, and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consider the provocations and violence being carried out by its opponents.

Myanmar's junta chief on Monday said that the ruling military was committed to peace and democracy, and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should consider the provocations and violence being carried out by its opponents. In his first comments since Myanmar's neighbours decided to exclude him from an upcoming ASEAN summit over a lack of commitment to its five-point roadmap, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the junta's own five-stage plan to restore democracy. Also read | ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta chief from attendance at summit Min Aung Hlaing, who led the Feb. 1 coup that plunged Myanmar into deadly chaos, made no mention of the ASEAN decision but suggested the outlawed National Unity Government (NUG) and armed ethnic groups were trying to sabotage the ASEAN-led peace process. "More violence happened due to provocations of terrorist groups," Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech on television, where he appeared in civilian attire. "No one cares about their violence, and is only demanding we solve the issue. ASEAN should work on that." ASEAN decided to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar to its Oct. 26-28 summit, in an unprecedented snub to the military leaders behind the coup against Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar wanted ASEAN's special envoy, Erywan Yusof, to visit the country as agreed, but some of his demands were non-negotiable. He did not elaborate. Also Read | Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order The NUG, a broad alliance of anti-coup groups that includes members of Suu Kyi's ousted ruling party, has backed the training and formation of militias called "People's Defence Forces" behind attacks on security forces in several regions of the country. The NUG recently declared a nationwide rebellion against military rule. The shadow government on Monday welcomed ASEAN's exclusion of the junta leader but said the NUG should be the legitimate representative. Important Step "ASEAN excluding Min Aung Hlaing is an important step, but we request that they recognise us as the proper representative," said its spokesman Dr. Sasa. However, he said the NUG would accept inviting a truly neutral alternative Myanmar representative. ASEAN's decision was an unusually bold step for the consensus-driven bloc, which traditionally favours a policy of engagement and non-interference. Watch | 1,200 people reportedly killed in Myanmar coup Brunei, ASEAN's current chair, issued a statement citing a lack of progress on a roadmap that the junta had agreed to with ASEAN in April. A spokesman for the military government at the weekend blamed "foreign intervention" for the decision. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, which ended a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform. Thousands of its opponents have been arrested, including Suu Kyi. Security forces have killed more than 1,100 people, according to activists and the United Nations. Also read | Myanmar to free more than 5,000 protesters after ASEAN snub inutes after Min Aung Hlaing's speech, state television announced that more than 5,600 people arrested or subject to arrest warrants over their roles in anti-coup protests would be freed in an amnesty. It said the decision was on humanitarian grounds and blamed the shadow government for causing the unrest.

Myanmar junta leader blames opponents for prolonging unrest

A United Nations human rights investigator called on countries on Wednesday to impose economic sanctions on&nbsp;Myanmar's oil and gas sector to cripple the junta that took power five months ago.

Myanmar&nbsp;has been in crisis since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on Feb. 1, unleashing nationwide anger that quickly turned into protests and strikes brutally suppressed by security forces, with nearly 900 killed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-coup-us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-on-22-persons-395448">Myanmar coup: US imposes fresh sanctions on 22 persons</a>

"I am talking about economic pressure, cutting off the revenue that the military junta needs to continue its reign of terror. I'm talking about cutting access to weapons and dual-use technology," Thomas Andrews, special rapporteur on human rights in&nbsp;Myanmar, told the UN Human Rights Council.

No state had imposed sanctions on its oil and gas sector, although some had slapped them on military-controlled enterprises and revenue from gems, timber and mining, he said.

"Oil- and gas-sector revenues are a financial lifeline for the junta and are estimated to be close to what is needed for the junta to maintain the security forces that are keeping them in power. They should be stopped," he said.

Andrews, a former US congressman from Maine, called for forming an 'Emergency Coalition for the People of&nbsp;Myanmar', essentially a group of states, that would also ban the export of arms to the military. "There needs to be pressure," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-uk-sanction-myanmar-military-owned-company-373144">US, UK sanction Myanmar military-owned company</a>

The United States called for decisive action to prevent further bloodshed. "We urge all nations to cease the export of arms and transfer of dual-use technology to the military junta," said Meryn Schneiderhan of the US mission to the UN in Geneva.

Earlier, the top UN human rights official Michelle Bachelet urged ASEAN countries to launch a political dialogue with the military junta and the democratically elected leadership in&nbsp;Myanmar.

The United Nations must be allowed to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in&nbsp;Myanmar, as agreed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), without it being "instrumentalised" by the military, she said.

The ASEAN bloc agreed on a five-point consensus with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in April, "but unfortunately the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;military leadership have shown little sign of abiding by it", Bachelet said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-approves-sanctions-on-china-myanmar-over-rights-abuses-372295">EU approves sanctions on China, Myanmar over rights abuses</a>

"It is urgent for ASEAN to appoint a special envoy or team to get some kind of political dialogue underway. I encourage ASEAN to engage with the democratic leadership and civil society, not just the military front," Bachelet said.

A United Nations human rights investigator called on countries on Wednesday to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar's oil and gas sector to cripple the junta that took power five months ago.

A United Nations human rights investigator called on countries on Wednesday to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar's oil and gas sector to cripple the junta that took power five months ago. Myanmar has been in crisis since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on Feb. 1, unleashing nationwide anger that quickly turned into protests and strikes brutally suppressed by security forces, with nearly 900 killed. Also read | Myanmar coup: US imposes fresh sanctions on 22 persons "I am talking about economic pressure, cutting off the revenue that the military junta needs to continue its reign of terror. I'm talking about cutting access to weapons and dual-use technology," Thomas Andrews, special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, told the UN Human Rights Council. No state had imposed sanctions on its oil and gas sector, although some had slapped them on military-controlled enterprises and revenue from gems, timber and mining, he said. "Oil- and gas-sector revenues are a financial lifeline for the junta and are estimated to be close to what is needed for the junta to maintain the security forces that are keeping them in power. They should be stopped," he said. Andrews, a former US congressman from Maine, called for forming an 'Emergency Coalition for the People of Myanmar', essentially a group of states, that would also ban the export of arms to the military. "There needs to be pressure," he said. Also read | US, UK sanction Myanmar military-owned company The United States called for decisive action to prevent further bloodshed. "We urge all nations to cease the export of arms and transfer of dual-use technology to the military junta," said Meryn Schneiderhan of the US mission to the UN in Geneva. Earlier, the top UN human rights official Michelle Bachelet urged ASEAN countries to launch a political dialogue with the military junta and the democratically elected leadership in Myanmar. The United Nations must be allowed to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Myanmar, as agreed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), without it being "instrumentalised" by the military, she said. The ASEAN bloc agreed on a five-point consensus with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in April, "but unfortunately the Myanmar military leadership have shown little sign of abiding by it", Bachelet said. Also read | EU approves sanctions on China, Myanmar over rights abuses "It is urgent for ASEAN to appoint a special envoy or team to get some kind of political dialogue underway. I encourage ASEAN to engage with the democratic leadership and civil society, not just the military front," Bachelet said.

UN rights expert urges sanctions on Myanmar's oil, gas sectors

Myanmar military junta chief arrived in Moscow on Sunday to attend a security conference. This marks his second known trip abroad since military coup in Myanmar.

Myanmar military toppled civilian government led by Aung Sab Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing left the capital Naypyidaw Sunday on a special flight to attend the Moscow Conference for International Security, state-run MRTV said.

The report said that he was attending at "the invitation of Russian Defence Minister". It added that he had been "greeted" by the Russian ambassador to Myanmar at the airport.

The report didn't give details on how long he was expected to stay in Russia. It is an ally and a major arms supplier to the Myanmar military.

Myanmar's embassy in Russia later confirmed Min Aung Hlaing's arrival to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. 
"The commander-in-chief has arrived in Moscow," an embassy spokesperson was cited by the news agency as saying.

The junta's brutal crackdown on dissent has since killed at least 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group.

In May local media reported the chief of Myanmar's air force attended a military helicopter exhibition in Moscow.

Min Aung Hlaing's visit comes after the UN General Assembly took the rare step on Friday of calling on member states to "prevent the flow of arms" into Myanmar.

(With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar military junta chief arrived in Moscow on Sunday to attend a security conference. This marks his second known trip abroad since military coup in Myanmar.

Myanmar military junta chief arrived in Moscow on Sunday to attend a security conference. This marks his second known trip abroad since military coup in Myanmar. Myanmar military toppled civilian government led by Aung Sab Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1 Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing left the capital Naypyidaw Sunday on a special flight to attend the Moscow Conference for International Security, state-run MRTV said. The report said that he was attending at "the invitation of Russian Defence Minister". It added that he had been "greeted" by the Russian ambassador to Myanmar at the airport. The report didn't give details on how long he was expected to stay in Russia. It is an ally and a major arms supplier to the Myanmar military. Myanmar's embassy in Russia later confirmed Min Aung Hlaing's arrival to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. "The commander-in-chief has arrived in Moscow," an embassy spokesperson was cited by the news agency as saying. The junta's brutal crackdown on dissent has since killed at least 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group. In May local media reported the chief of Myanmar's air force attended a military helicopter exhibition in Moscow. Min Aung Hlaing's visit comes after the UN General Assembly took the rare step on Friday of calling on member states to "prevent the flow of arms" into Myanmar. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar military junta leader arrives in Moscow for conference

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia on April 24. It is his first known foreign trip since he seized power on Feb 1.

Myanmar Coup: Myanmar Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing to attend ASEAN Summit

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing urged demonstrators to end their protest citing coronavirus fears on Thursday as people from all walks of life continued their protest across the country demanding the restoration of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-myanmar-slipping-into-chinas-grip-363019/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Due to unscrupulous persons' incitement, some civil service personnel have failed to perform their duties," General &nbsp;Hlaing said, adding, "effective actions will be taken." Myanmar's general asked civil servants to come back to work amid large scale demonstrations.

Despite&nbsp;Hlaing's statement thousands continued their protest in Yangon and elsewhere across the country. Several protesters chanted anti-military slogans aboard traditional fishing boats on Inle Lake in Shan state, southeastern Myanmar.

The military coup which took place last Monday led to the arrest of popular pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi including many of her NLD party leaders. On Thursday, there were more reports of arrests with deputy speaker of the parliament's lower house and a key aide to Suu Kyi being arrested.&nbsp;

The military had imposed a one year state of emergency after the coup and had alleged that there was voter fraud in the last November elections, a claim which has been stridently opposed by protesters who have been demanding a return to democracy and freeing of Suu Kyi.

The face-off between the police and protesters took a deadly turn this week after live rounds were fired at a rally in Naypyidaw critically wounding a woman who is currently battling for life.

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, 20, was shot in the head is in intensive care after suffering gunshot wounds with the identity of gunman still unknown even as Facebook and Twitter users have launched an online hunt.

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing urged demonstrators to end their protest citing coronavirus fears on Thursday as people from all walks of life continued their protest across the country demanding the restoration of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government.

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing urged demonstrators to end their protest citing coronavirus fears on Thursday as people from all walks of life continued their protest across the country demanding the restoration of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government. Watch: "Due to unscrupulous persons' incitement, some civil service personnel have failed to perform their duties," General Hlaing said, adding, "effective actions will be taken." Myanmar's general asked civil servants to come back to work amid large scale demonstrations. Despite Hlaing's statement thousands continued their protest in Yangon and elsewhere across the country. Several protesters chanted anti-military slogans aboard traditional fishing boats on Inle Lake in Shan state, southeastern Myanmar. The military coup which took place last Monday led to the arrest of popular pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi including many of her NLD party leaders. On Thursday, there were more reports of arrests with deputy speaker of the parliament's lower house and a key aide to Suu Kyi being arrested. The military had imposed a one year state of emergency after the coup and had alleged that there was voter fraud in the last November elections, a claim which has been stridently opposed by protesters who have been demanding a return to democracy and freeing of Suu Kyi. The face-off between the police and protesters took a deadly turn this week after live rounds were fired at a rally in Naypyidaw critically wounding a woman who is currently battling for life. Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, 20, was shot in the head is in intensive care after suffering gunshot wounds with the identity of gunman still unknown even as Facebook and Twitter users have launched an online hunt.

Myanmar military warns protesters to return to work amid nationwide demonstrations

Myanmar’s powerful military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is in the spotlight after politicians from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party were detained and the army announced it was taking power.

Here are some key facts about the army chief:

RISE AND RISE

Min Aung Hlaing&nbsp;steered clear of the political activism that was widespread at the time when he studied law at Yangon University in 1972-1974. He was a man of few words and normally kept a low profile.

While fellow students joined demonstrations, Min Aung Hlaing made annual applications to join the premier military university, the Defence Services Academy (DSA), succeeding on his third attempt in 1974.

According to a member of his DSA class, who spoke to Reuters in 2016 and who still sees the army chief at annual class reunions, he was an average cadet.

Min Aung Hlaing took over the running of the military in 2011 as a transition to democracy began. Diplomats in Yangon said that by the onset of Suu Kyi’s first term in 2016, Min Aung Hlaing had transformed himself from taciturn soldier into a politician and public figure.

Min Aung Hlaing studied other political transitions, diplomats and observers have told Reuters, and has made much of the need to avoid the chaos seen in Libya and other Middle Eastern countries after regime change in 2011.

The commander-in-chief has never shown any sign he was prepared to give up the military’s 25% of seats in parliament nor of allowing any change to the clause in the constitution that bars Suu Kyi from becoming president.

The recent complaints by the army of irregularities in voter lists for a Nov. 8 general election which, as expected, delivered another sweeping victory to Suu Kyi’s party, have been accompanied by cryptic comments about abolishing the charter.

Min Aung Hlaing extended his term at the helm of the military for another five years in February 2016, a step that surprised observers who expected him to step aside that year during a regular army leadership reshuffle.

SANCTIONS

A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims into neighbouring Bangladesh. UN&nbsp;investigators have said Myanmar’s military operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with “genocidal intent”.

In response, the United States imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and three other military leaders in 2019 and several court cases in various international courts, including the International Court of Justice, are going on.

Also in 2019, UN investigators urged world leaders to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Myanmar’s powerful military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is in the spotlight after politicians from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party were detained and the army announced it was taking power.

Myanmar’s powerful military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is in the spotlight after politicians from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party were detained and the army announced it was taking power. Here are some key facts about the army chief: RISE AND RISE Min Aung Hlaing steered clear of the political activism that was widespread at the time when he studied law at Yangon University in 1972-1974. He was a man of few words and normally kept a low profile. While fellow students joined demonstrations, Min Aung Hlaing made annual applications to join the premier military university, the Defence Services Academy (DSA), succeeding on his third attempt in 1974. According to a member of his DSA class, who spoke to Reuters in 2016 and who still sees the army chief at annual class reunions, he was an average cadet. Min Aung Hlaing took over the running of the military in 2011 as a transition to democracy began. Diplomats in Yangon said that by the onset of Suu Kyi’s first term in 2016, Min Aung Hlaing had transformed himself from taciturn soldier into a politician and public figure. Min Aung Hlaing studied other political transitions, diplomats and observers have told Reuters, and has made much of the need to avoid the chaos seen in Libya and other Middle Eastern countries after regime change in 2011. The commander-in-chief has never shown any sign he was prepared to give up the military’s 25% of seats in parliament nor of allowing any change to the clause in the constitution that bars Suu Kyi from becoming president. The recent complaints by the army of irregularities in voter lists for a Nov. 8 general election which, as expected, delivered another sweeping victory to Suu Kyi’s party, have been accompanied by cryptic comments about abolishing the charter. Min Aung Hlaing extended his term at the helm of the military for another five years in February 2016, a step that surprised observers who expected him to step aside that year during a regular army leadership reshuffle. SANCTIONS A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims into neighbouring Bangladesh. UN investigators have said Myanmar’s military operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with “genocidal intent”. In response, the United States imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and three other military leaders in 2019 and several court cases in various international courts, including the International Court of Justice, are going on. Also in 2019, UN investigators urged world leaders to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military. (with inputs from Reuters)

All eyes on Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing as military seizes power

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-imposes-sanctions-on-myanmar-military-leaders-over-rohingya-abuses-236561&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiV0sDPq77jAhVFjuYKHfXpDNcQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw19Bl-Zd9_TOCkR-aIEk1_f">Sanctions</a> imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.&nbsp;

But Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for freezing the assets of the commanders.

"(The ban) does not go far enough and it should go further, and the parameters of those sanctions should go further too," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"They were never going to travel to the US.. let's be realistic."

Lee said the sanctions - which covered Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should also be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018.

The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide.&nbsp;

Lee said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse.

Last month, Lee had said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states.

On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area.

It has also hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods, she added.

"The question is, did the Myanmar government impose the ban to inflict more harm on the people of Rakhine?"

A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to UN figures.

UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday. The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. But Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for freezing the assets of the commanders. "(The ban) does not go far enough and it should go further, and the parameters of those sanctions should go further too," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. "They were never going to travel to the US.. let's be realistic." Lee said the sanctions - which covered Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should also be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018. The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide. Lee said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse. Last month, Lee had said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states. On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area. It has also hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods, she added. "The question is, did the Myanmar government impose the ban to inflict more harm on the people of Rakhine?" A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to UN figures. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge.

United States sanctions on Myanmar military leaders inadequate: United Nation investigator

The United States announced sanctions on Tuesday against the Myanmar military's Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and other leaders it said were responsible for extrajudicial killings of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-police-kill-three-suspected-rohingya-traffickers-rescue-15-refugees-230535">Rohingya Muslims</a>, barring them from entry to the United States.

The steps, which also covered Min Aung Hlaing's deputy, Soe Win, and two other senior commanders and their families, are the strongest the United States has taken in response to massacres of minority Rohingyas in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

It identified the two others as Than Oo and Aung Aung, both brigadier generals.

"We remain concerned that the Burmese government has taken no actions to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, and there are continued reports of the Burmese military committing human rights violations and abuses throughout the country," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

Pompeo said a recent disclosure, first reported by Reuters in May, that Min Aung Hlaing ordered the release of soldiers convicted of extrajudicial killings at the village of Inn Din during the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in 2017 was "one egregious example of the continued and severe lack of accountability for the military and its senior leadership."

"The Commander-in-Chief released these criminals after only months in prison, while the journalists who told the world about the killings in Inn Din were jailed for more than 500 days," Pompeo said.

The Inn Din massacre was uncovered by two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who spent more than 16 months behind bars on charges of obtaining state secrets. The two were released in an amnesty on May 6.

The US announcement came on the first day of an international ministerial conference on religious freedom hosted by Pompeo at the State Department that was attended by Rohingya representatives.

"With this announcement, the United States is the first government to publicly take action with respect to the most senior leadership of the Burmese military," said Pompeo, who has been a strong advocate of religious freedom.

"We designated these individuals based on credible information of these commanders’ involvement in gross violations of human rights," he said.

Sanctions condemned

A spokesman for the Myanmar military, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, said by phone the military had not ignored the accusations, citing internal probes. One army-led investigation in 2017 exonerated security forces of all accusations of atrocities. Another is ongoing.

"Right now we have an investigative committee ... to conduct a detailed investigation," he said. "They should value these facts."

He said the soldiers had been lawfully released.

Myo Nyunt, a spokesman for the ruling National League for Democracy Party, condemned the decision to impose sanctions.

"This kind of action happened because they don’t understand the real situation of Myanmar," he said. Myanmar’s leaders had not ignored human rights concerns, Myo Nyunt said.

A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with "genocidal intent."

The State Department has so far stopped short of calling the abuses genocide, referring instead to ethnic cleansing and a "well-planned and coordinated" campaign of mass killings, gang rapes and other atrocities.

The United States announced sanctions on Tuesday against the Myanmar military's Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and other leaders it said were responsible for extrajudicial killings of Rohingya Muslims, barring them from entry to the United States.

The United States announced sanctions on Tuesday against the Myanmar military's Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and other leaders it said were responsible for extrajudicial killings of Rohingya Muslims, barring them from entry to the United States. The steps, which also covered Min Aung Hlaing's deputy, Soe Win, and two other senior commanders and their families, are the strongest the United States has taken in response to massacres of minority Rohingyas in Myanmar, also known as Burma. It identified the two others as Than Oo and Aung Aung, both brigadier generals. "We remain concerned that the Burmese government has taken no actions to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, and there are continued reports of the Burmese military committing human rights violations and abuses throughout the country," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Pompeo said a recent disclosure, first reported by Reuters in May, that Min Aung Hlaing ordered the release of soldiers convicted of extrajudicial killings at the village of Inn Din during the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in 2017 was "one egregious example of the continued and severe lack of accountability for the military and its senior leadership." "The Commander-in-Chief released these criminals after only months in prison, while the journalists who told the world about the killings in Inn Din were jailed for more than 500 days," Pompeo said. The Inn Din massacre was uncovered by two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who spent more than 16 months behind bars on charges of obtaining state secrets. The two were released in an amnesty on May 6. The US announcement came on the first day of an international ministerial conference on religious freedom hosted by Pompeo at the State Department that was attended by Rohingya representatives. "With this announcement, the United States is the first government to publicly take action with respect to the most senior leadership of the Burmese military," said Pompeo, who has been a strong advocate of religious freedom. "We designated these individuals based on credible information of these commanders’ involvement in gross violations of human rights," he said. Sanctions condemned A spokesman for the Myanmar military, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, said by phone the military had not ignored the accusations, citing internal probes. One army-led investigation in 2017 exonerated security forces of all accusations of atrocities. Another is ongoing. "Right now we have an investigative committee ... to conduct a detailed investigation," he said. "They should value these facts." He said the soldiers had been lawfully released. Myo Nyunt, a spokesman for the ruling National League for Democracy Party, condemned the decision to impose sanctions. "This kind of action happened because they don’t understand the real situation of Myanmar," he said. Myanmar’s leaders had not ignored human rights concerns, Myo Nyunt said. A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." The State Department has so far stopped short of calling the abuses genocide, referring instead to ethnic cleansing and a "well-planned and coordinated" campaign of mass killings, gang rapes and other atrocities.

US imposes sanctions on Myanmar military leaders over Rohingya abuses

At least six people were wounded in gunfire as Myanmar soldiers hunted ethnic Rakhine insurgents in the western town of Mrauk U, residents said on Tuesday and a military convoy was ambushed.

Soldiers moved into the historic temple town on Monday night, marking an intensification of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State, where security forces have waged a campaign against a militant group called the Arakan Army.

While Rakhine State gained global attention after the army drove about 700,000 ethnic Rohingya Muslims across the border into Bangladesh in late 2017, the ethnic Rakhine are largely Buddhist like the majority of Myanmar's people.

The military said in a statement there was "shooting back-and-forth” as insurgents attacked a military convoy approaching Mrauk U before retreating into houses.

Myo Oo Khaung Sayataw, a monk, said he had taken six people to hospital and that a seven-year-old girl with burn wounds was among the casualties.

“I went out to the wounded people, because no one dared to go out,” he said. “I saw six military cars, they were shooting everywhere.”

Mrauk U, the former capital of an ancient kingdom, is popular with foreign travellers visiting its hundreds of centuries-old pagodas, which Myanmar wants classified as a World Heritage Site.

Two British tourists said they heard gunfire and explosions on Sunday.

Christopher Caddy, 32, who lives in Manchester, posted a video on Twitter showed him and his fiancee wandering through a temple.

“If you’re wondering what that noise is outside that’s just the Myanmar army just firing rifles and exploding stuff,” Caddy said.

“We were in the temple for maybe five minutes when we first heard all the shots and explosions,” he told Reuters. “A few minutes later, when I noticed that the gunfire was still continuing I started filming.”

Residents of Mrauk U said the clashes had made them frightened to leave home.

“I don’t dare go out, because of the gunfire,” said Shwe Tun Aung. “I closed my door and am still in the house until now. The situation is not good, civilians are in trouble.”

Military spokesmen did not answer calls from Reuters seeking comment, but a statement posted on Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's website portrayed the fighting as an ambush.

“AA terrorists attacked a military convoy while the convoy was marching into Mrauk U town for security,” the statement said. “AA terrorists took cover in civilian houses.”

A spokesman for the insurgents did not answer phone calls.

Violence intensified

Myanmar’s leaders have vowed to crush the rebels, who are fighting for autonomy for Rakhine, and the violence has intensified since early January, when the Arakan Army launched attacks on police that killed 13.

Clashes have spread since, displacing several thousand people, and authorities have declared large parts of the north of the state off-limits to most aid agencies.

The United Nations head in Myanmar, Knut Ostby, said on Tuesday that he was “deeply concerned” by the reports of fighting and urged all sides to ensure the protection of civilians.

The sentencing on Tuesday of two prominent Rakhine nationalists to 20 years in prison for high treason raised fears that unrest could spiral further out of control.

Dr Aye Maung, a politician, and writer Wai Hin Aung, were found guilty by a court in Sittwe, the state capital.

The pair were arrested in January, 2018 over comments made during an event in Mrauk U marking the anniversary of the fall of the independent Rakhine kingdom to the Burmese in 1785, when they allegedly spoke favourably of the Arakan Army.

The ceremony ended in violence, with police shooting dead seven demonstrators and wounding 12.

The long sentence handed to the two men could further escalate conflict, said Sithu Aung Myint, a political analyst.

“The result will make Rakhine people more frustrated,” he said. “It will likely create further instability in the region.”

At least six people were wounded in gunfire as Myanmar soldiers hunted ethnic Rakhine insurgents in the western town of Mrauk U, residents said on Tuesday and a military convoy was ambushed.

At least six people were wounded in gunfire as Myanmar soldiers hunted ethnic Rakhine insurgents in the western town of Mrauk U, residents said on Tuesday and a military convoy was ambushed. Soldiers moved into the historic temple town on Monday night, marking an intensification of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State, where security forces have waged a campaign against a militant group called the Arakan Army. While Rakhine State gained global attention after the army drove about 700,000 ethnic Rohingya Muslims across the border into Bangladesh in late 2017, the ethnic Rakhine are largely Buddhist like the majority of Myanmar's people. The military said in a statement there was "shooting back-and-forth” as insurgents attacked a military convoy approaching Mrauk U before retreating into houses. Myo Oo Khaung Sayataw, a monk, said he had taken six people to hospital and that a seven-year-old girl with burn wounds was among the casualties. “I went out to the wounded people, because no one dared to go out,” he said. “I saw six military cars, they were shooting everywhere.” Mrauk U, the former capital of an ancient kingdom, is popular with foreign travellers visiting its hundreds of centuries-old pagodas, which Myanmar wants classified as a World Heritage Site. Two British tourists said they heard gunfire and explosions on Sunday. Christopher Caddy, 32, who lives in Manchester, posted a video on Twitter showed him and his fiancee wandering through a temple. “If you’re wondering what that noise is outside that’s just the Myanmar army just firing rifles and exploding stuff,” Caddy said. “We were in the temple for maybe five minutes when we first heard all the shots and explosions,” he told Reuters. “A few minutes later, when I noticed that the gunfire was still continuing I started filming.” Residents of Mrauk U said the clashes had made them frightened to leave home. “I don’t dare go out, because of the gunfire,” said Shwe Tun Aung. “I closed my door and am still in the house until now. The situation is not good, civilians are in trouble.” Military spokesmen did not answer calls from Reuters seeking comment, but a statement posted on Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's website portrayed the fighting as an ambush. “AA terrorists attacked a military convoy while the convoy was marching into Mrauk U town for security,” the statement said. “AA terrorists took cover in civilian houses.” A spokesman for the insurgents did not answer phone calls. Violence intensified Myanmar’s leaders have vowed to crush the rebels, who are fighting for autonomy for Rakhine, and the violence has intensified since early January, when the Arakan Army launched attacks on police that killed 13. Clashes have spread since, displacing several thousand people, and authorities have declared large parts of the north of the state off-limits to most aid agencies. The United Nations head in Myanmar, Knut Ostby, said on Tuesday that he was “deeply concerned” by the reports of fighting and urged all sides to ensure the protection of civilians. The sentencing on Tuesday of two prominent Rakhine nationalists to 20 years in prison for high treason raised fears that unrest could spiral further out of control. Dr Aye Maung, a politician, and writer Wai Hin Aung, were found guilty by a court in Sittwe, the state capital. The pair were arrested in January, 2018 over comments made during an event in Mrauk U marking the anniversary of the fall of the independent Rakhine kingdom to the Burmese in 1785, when they allegedly spoke favourably of the Arakan Army. The ceremony ended in violence, with police shooting dead seven demonstrators and wounding 12. The long sentence handed to the two men could further escalate conflict, said Sithu Aung Myint, a political analyst. “The result will make Rakhine people more frustrated,” he said. “It will likely create further instability in the region.”

Six wounded in gunfire as Myanmar soldiers hunt insurgents in temple town

Myanmar's army said on Monday it had set up a military court to investigate its conduct during a crackdown on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-to-move-rohingya-to-island-next-month-minister-203255">Rohingya Muslim minority</a> in 2017 that forced more than 730,000 to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.

The court comprising a major-general and two colonels will investigate events in western Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017, the military said in a statement posted on the website of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the army commander-in-chief.

"The information is released that the investigation court was formed with the following persons to further scrutinize and confirm the respective incidents," the military said.

The court will respond to allegations made by the United Nations and rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accusing security forces of mass killings, rape and arson.

Myanmar forces launched their offensive in Rakhine State in response to a series of attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts near the Bangladesh border.

A UN fact-finding mission last year said the military campaign was orchestrated with "genocidal intent" and recommended charging Min Aung Hlaing and five other generals with the "gravest crimes under international law".

Myanmar has denied the accusations of murder, rape and other abuses by its forces though Min Aung Hlaing said last month "a number of security men may have been involved".

A previous military investigation in 2017 exonerated the security forces of any crimes.

The new court is "another bad faith manoeuvre" to fend off international pressure, said Nicholas Bequelin, Southeast Asia and Pacific Director of Amnesty International.

"The military stands accused of the gravest crimes under international law and has shown no sign of reform," he said.

"The idea that the Tatmadaw could investigate itself and ensure justice and accountability is both dangerous and delusional," Bequelin added, referring to the army.

The military information unit did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Myanmar is facing growing international calls for accountability over the Rakhine campaign.

The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary examination into the violence, while a commission of enquiry formed by Myanmar and including Filipino diplomat Rosario Manalo and Kenzo Oshima, Japan's former ambassador to the UN, is due to publish its findings this year.

The creation of the military court was based on assessments and suggestions from the military-appointed Judge Advocate-General, as well the allegations contained in human rights reports, according to the army statement.

Myanmar's army said on Monday it had set up a military court to investigate its conduct during a crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017 that forced more than 730,000 to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Myanmar's army said on Monday it had set up a military court to investigate its conduct during a crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017 that forced more than 730,000 to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. The court comprising a major-general and two colonels will investigate events in western Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017, the military said in a statement posted on the website of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the army commander-in-chief. "The information is released that the investigation court was formed with the following persons to further scrutinize and confirm the respective incidents," the military said. The court will respond to allegations made by the United Nations and rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accusing security forces of mass killings, rape and arson. Myanmar forces launched their offensive in Rakhine State in response to a series of attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts near the Bangladesh border. A UN fact-finding mission last year said the military campaign was orchestrated with "genocidal intent" and recommended charging Min Aung Hlaing and five other generals with the "gravest crimes under international law". Myanmar has denied the accusations of murder, rape and other abuses by its forces though Min Aung Hlaing said last month "a number of security men may have been involved". A previous military investigation in 2017 exonerated the security forces of any crimes. The new court is "another bad faith manoeuvre" to fend off international pressure, said Nicholas Bequelin, Southeast Asia and Pacific Director of Amnesty International. "The military stands accused of the gravest crimes under international law and has shown no sign of reform," he said. "The idea that the Tatmadaw could investigate itself and ensure justice and accountability is both dangerous and delusional," Bequelin added, referring to the army. The military information unit did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Myanmar is facing growing international calls for accountability over the Rakhine campaign. The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary examination into the violence, while a commission of enquiry formed by Myanmar and including Filipino diplomat Rosario Manalo and Kenzo Oshima, Japan's former ambassador to the UN, is due to publish its findings this year. The creation of the military court was based on assessments and suggestions from the military-appointed Judge Advocate-General, as well the allegations contained in human rights reports, according to the army statement.

Myanmar military court to probe Rohingya atrocity allegations

Myanmar's powerful army chief has given a rare foreign media interview to insist there was no "certain proof" the military had persecuted the country's stateless Rohingya Muslim community.

Around 740,000 Rohingya fled over the border into Bangladesh after a bloody military campaign in 2017.

The UN condemned the crackdown as ethnic cleansing and investigators called for top military leaders, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to be prosecuted for genocide.

But the military has maintained its operations were justified to root out Rohingya insurgents following a series of deadly attacks on police posts and has denied nearly all allegations of wrongdoing.

In an interview Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper published Friday, Min Aung Hlaing doubled down on previous claims, arguing "there is no certain proof that the national army was involved in the persecution" of Rohingya. The army chief added that accusations the military committed atrocities "hurts the nation's dignity".

Min Aung Hlaing rarely speaks to the press and has instead preferred to communicate over Facebook, but the social media giant kicked him off the platform last year for his role in stoking hate speech.

His comments were at odds with testimony from Rohingya in the crowded, sprawling camps in Bangladesh.

The refugees have recounted widespread murder, rape, torture and the burning of entire villages to the ground at the hands of Myanmar soldiers.

A UN probe report released in September also outlined atrocities committed by the military in meticulous and searing detail.

It said Myanmar's "clearance operations" were disproportionate to the insurgent attacks and cited prior troop deployments as evidence of premeditation.

Investigators called for Myanmar to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) but any road to prosecution would be long and fraught with political difficulties at the UN.

Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government remains in a fragile power-sharing agreement with the military, which holds three key ministries and a quarter of parliamentary seats.

Suu Kyi's international reputation lies in tatters for refusing to stand up for the Rohingya. In Myanmar, the Rohingya are widely seen as interlopers from Bangladesh and have been denied citizenship, rights and access to services for decades under what Amnesty International calls apartheid-like conditions.

Myanmar's powerful army chief has given a rare foreign media interview to insist there was no "certain proof" the military had persecuted the country's stateless Rohingya Muslim community.

Myanmar's powerful army chief has given a rare foreign media interview to insist there was no "certain proof" the military had persecuted the country's stateless Rohingya Muslim community. Around 740,000 Rohingya fled over the border into Bangladesh after a bloody military campaign in 2017. The UN condemned the crackdown as ethnic cleansing and investigators called for top military leaders, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to be prosecuted for genocide. But the military has maintained its operations were justified to root out Rohingya insurgents following a series of deadly attacks on police posts and has denied nearly all allegations of wrongdoing. In an interview Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper published Friday, Min Aung Hlaing doubled down on previous claims, arguing "there is no certain proof that the national army was involved in the persecution" of Rohingya. The army chief added that accusations the military committed atrocities "hurts the nation's dignity". Min Aung Hlaing rarely speaks to the press and has instead preferred to communicate over Facebook, but the social media giant kicked him off the platform last year for his role in stoking hate speech. His comments were at odds with testimony from Rohingya in the crowded, sprawling camps in Bangladesh. The refugees have recounted widespread murder, rape, torture and the burning of entire villages to the ground at the hands of Myanmar soldiers. A UN probe report released in September also outlined atrocities committed by the military in meticulous and searing detail. It said Myanmar's "clearance operations" were disproportionate to the insurgent attacks and cited prior troop deployments as evidence of premeditation. Investigators called for Myanmar to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) but any road to prosecution would be long and fraught with political difficulties at the UN. Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government remains in a fragile power-sharing agreement with the military, which holds three key ministries and a quarter of parliamentary seats. Suu Kyi's international reputation lies in tatters for refusing to stand up for the Rohingya. In Myanmar, the Rohingya are widely seen as interlopers from Bangladesh and have been denied citizenship, rights and access to services for decades under what Amnesty International calls apartheid-like conditions.

'No proof' Myanmar military persecuted Rohingya: Army chief

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the U.N. Security Council on Monday to press Myanmar to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled a military crackdown to take refuge in her country.

Security Council envoys visited Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, before travelling to Myanmar for meetings with its government leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing later on Monday.

“They should put more pressure on the Myanmar government so that they take their citizens back to their country. That’s what we want,” Hasina told reporters.

The visit by the Security Council envoys, to see the aftermath of a military operation in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State, puts a global spotlight on the crisis which the United Nations and others have denounced as ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.

Myanmar denies the accusation, saying the military was engaged in a legitimate counter-insurgency operation.

Rohingya insurgent attacks on security posts in Rakhine State in August last year sparked the crackdown that, according to the UN&nbspand rights groups, sent nearly 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to camps in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Hasina said the refugees should return “under UN&nbspsupervision where security and safety should be ensured”.

“They want to go back to their own country. So the Security Council can play a very pivotal role,” she added.

When asked if UN&nbspsupervision meant the deployment of peacekeepers, Hasina said: “Not exactly, well, that the UN&nbspwill decide”.

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Social Welfare Minister Win Myat Aye, who is leading rehabilitation efforts in Rakhine, declined to comment.

Kuwait’s UN&nbspAmbassador Mansour al-Otaibi, one of the envoys, told Hasina the Security Council wanted to “send a clear strong message ... that we’re determined to end this humanitarian crisis”.&nbsp

The envoys visited camps on Sunday, where distraught refugees pleaded for help ahead of the coming monsoon season. Many live in bamboo-and-plastic structures perched on hills in the southeast Bangladesh district of Cox’s Bazar.

Difficulties

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in January to complete the voluntary repatriation of the refugees within two years but differences between the two sides remain and implementation of the plan has been slow.&nbsp

“We know there are difficulties in the talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar on the return of the refugees but it is important ... to create the appropriate conditions for the refugees to go back freely and voluntarily to their home of origin,” said al-Otaibi.&nbsp

The envoys are due to travel to Rakhine State on Tuesday.&nbsp

The Security Council asked Myanmar in November to ensure no “further excessive use of military force” and to allow “freedom of movement, equal access to basic services, and equal access to full citizenship for all”.

They will seek to push the Myanmar government to implement those requests, diplomats said.&nbsp

Hasina also called on Myanmar to implement the recommendations of a commission headed by former UN&nbspSecretary-General Kofi Annan, which was appointed by Suu Kyi in 2016 to investigate how to solve Rakhine’s long-standing tensions.Among the commission’s recommendations was a review of a Myanmar law that links citizenship and ethnicity and leaves most Rohingya stateless. &nbsp

Buddhist-majority Myanmar has for years denied Rohingya citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services such as healthcare. Many in Myanmar regard Rohingya as illegal immigrants from mostly Muslim Bangladesh.

Security Council envoys visited Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, before travelling to Myanmar for meetings with its government leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing later on Monday

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the U.N. Security Council on Monday to press Myanmar to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled a military crackdown to take refuge in her country. Security Council envoys visited Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, before travelling to Myanmar for meetings with its government leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing later on Monday. “They should put more pressure on the Myanmar government so that they take their citizens back to their country. That’s what we want,” Hasina told reporters. The visit by the Security Council envoys, to see the aftermath of a military operation in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State, puts a global spotlight on the crisis which the United Nations and others have denounced as ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims. Myanmar denies the accusation, saying the military was engaged in a legitimate counter-insurgency operation. Rohingya insurgent attacks on security posts in Rakhine State in August last year sparked the crackdown that, according to the UN&nbspand rights groups, sent nearly 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. Hasina said the refugees should return “under UN&nbspsupervision where security and safety should be ensured”. “They want to go back to their own country. So the Security Council can play a very pivotal role,” she added. When asked if UN&nbspsupervision meant the deployment of peacekeepers, Hasina said: “Not exactly, well, that the UN&nbspwill decide”. Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Social Welfare Minister Win Myat Aye, who is leading rehabilitation efforts in Rakhine, declined to comment. Kuwait’s UN&nbspAmbassador Mansour al-Otaibi, one of the envoys, told Hasina the Security Council wanted to “send a clear strong message ... that we’re determined to end this humanitarian crisis”. The envoys visited camps on Sunday, where distraught refugees pleaded for help ahead of the coming monsoon season. Many live in bamboo-and-plastic structures perched on hills in the southeast Bangladesh district of Cox’s Bazar. Difficulties Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in January to complete the voluntary repatriation of the refugees within two years but differences between the two sides remain and implementation of the plan has been slow. “We know there are difficulties in the talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar on the return of the refugees but it is important ... to create the appropriate conditions for the refugees to go back freely and voluntarily to their home of origin,” said al-Otaibi. The envoys are due to travel to Rakhine State on Tuesday. The Security Council asked Myanmar in November to ensure no “further excessive use of military force” and to allow “freedom of movement, equal access to basic services, and equal access to full citizenship for all”. They will seek to push the Myanmar government to implement those requests, diplomats said. Hasina also called on Myanmar to implement the recommendations of a commission headed by former UN&nbspSecretary-General Kofi Annan, which was appointed by Suu Kyi in 2016 to investigate how to solve Rakhine’s long-standing tensions.Among the commission’s recommendations was a review of a Myanmar law that links citizenship and ethnicity and leaves most Rohingya stateless. Buddhist-majority Myanmar has for years denied Rohingya citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services such as healthcare. Many in Myanmar regard Rohingya as illegal immigrants from mostly Muslim Bangladesh.

Bangladesh PM urges UN Security Council to press Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar&#39;s top military general in Beijing on Friday and discussed China&#39;s support amid international criticism over its treatment of the Rohingya minority, according to a statement from the general.

China has offered diplomatic backing to its southern neighbour throughout the crisis, despite growing pressure from Western countries for the Myanmar military to be accountable for alleged atrocities.

More than 600,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim group have fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar&rsquo;s Rakhine State to Bangladesh in three months since insurgent attacks on security posts sparked a brutal counter-insurgency campaign.

China helped to block a resolution on the crisis at the UN&nbsp;Security Council, while the United States this week called the response by the military and local vigilantes &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot;, echoing earlier statements by senior United Nations officials.

According to a statement on the Facebook page of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, he and the Chinese leader on Friday discussed the &quot;promotion of cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, the situation of China standing on Myanmar&#39;s side at the forefront of the international community regarding the Rakhine issue,&quot; and other issues.

Min Aung Hlaing arrived in China on Tuesday and has largely met Chinese military officers during his visit.

The statement also said they discussed ongoing talks between Myanmar&#39;s government and myriad ethnic insurgent groups, some of whom are based along Myanmar&#39;s shared border with China.

According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi said China was closely watching the peace process and was &quot;willing to play a constructive role... for security and stability in their border areas.&quot;

The Xinhua account did not mention Rakhine, but cited Xi saying that China &quot;always respects Myanmar&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity&quot;.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar's top military general in Beijing on Friday and discussed China's support amid international criticism over its treatment of the Rohingya minority, according to a statement from the general

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar's top military general in Beijing on Friday and discussed China's support amid international criticism over its treatment of the Rohingya minority, according to a statement from the general. China has offered diplomatic backing to its southern neighbour throughout the crisis, despite growing pressure from Western countries for the Myanmar military to be accountable for alleged atrocities. More than 600,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim group have fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar’s Rakhine State to Bangladesh in three months since insurgent attacks on security posts sparked a brutal counter-insurgency campaign. China helped to block a resolution on the crisis at the UN Security Council, while the United States this week called the response by the military and local vigilantes "ethnic cleansing", echoing earlier statements by senior United Nations officials. According to a statement on the Facebook page of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, he and the Chinese leader on Friday discussed the "promotion of cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, the situation of China standing on Myanmar's side at the forefront of the international community regarding the Rakhine issue," and other issues. Min Aung Hlaing arrived in China on Tuesday and has largely met Chinese military officers during his visit. The statement also said they discussed ongoing talks between Myanmar's government and myriad ethnic insurgent groups, some of whom are based along Myanmar's shared border with China. According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi said China was closely watching the peace process and was "willing to play a constructive role... for security and stability in their border areas." The Xinhua account did not mention Rakhine, but cited Xi saying that China "always respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

China's Xi discusses Rohingya crisis with Myanmar army chief

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