Myanmar Junta Announces Martial Law in Resistance-Controlled Townships

Myanmar’s regime imposed martial law on Thursday in 63 of the country’s 330 townships to “ensure law enforcement and stability” ahead of its election planned for December or January.

The National Defense and Security Council, chaired by junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, announced three months of martial law had been imposed across much of Kachin, Karenni (Kayah), Karen, Rakhine, Shan and Chin states and Sagaing, Mandalay and Magwe regions.

Among the 63 townships, 46 are under complete anti-regime control and the junta controls only the towns in another 16 townships with most rural areas controlled by anti-regime groups. Some townships face ongoing clashes.