Who is Myanmar’s former spymaster Commander-in-Chief Ye Win Oo?

The Myanmar Defense & Security Institute (MDSI) told DVB that the elevation of Ye Win Oo, from intelligence chief to become Myanmar’s new commander-in-chief, marks the first time in the country’s history that a “spymaster” and graduate of the Officers Training School (OTS), instead of an alumni of the Defense Services Academy (DSA), has risen to the top post in the military. This is a testament to his role as a deeply trusted ally of Min Aung Hlaing, who was voted president by a pro-military parliament on April 3.

“We saw him use various methods to dismantle opposition groups in order to consolidate and strengthen the political power of the regime. For example, he carried out suppressions against urban [underground] groups, tortured [members of] resistance groups, and violated human rights [at military interrogation centers],” Naung Yoe, the MDSI research officer, told DVB. He added that Ye Win Oo oversaw the arrests of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint during the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.

Despite his lack of battlefield experience in the military, Ye Win Oo became the “eyes and ears” of Min Aung Hlaing’s regime following the 2021 coup. He’s become the chief of the Military Security Affairs Corps and the chief executive officer of the regime’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), which is the decision-making body led by Min Aung Hlaing. Ye Win Oo was appointed Chief of the Myanmar Army on March 2 and has held various military posts prior to the 2021 coup.