Myanmar’s President’s Office and the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services declared a state of emergency across 60 townships on Thursday, implementing severe martial law measures and transferring all civilian administrative and judicial powers to the military.
The draconian orders effectively strip standard legal rights from millions of residents across nine states and regions, authorizing military tribunals to try civilians and hand down sentences as severe as the death penalty.
According to a statement from the President’s Office, the measures were imposed “to end armed conflicts and accelerate the measures for regional peace, stability and rule of law.”
Military courts without appeals
Under the new orders, absolute authority over the 60 designated townships has been delegated to the Regional Military Commands (RMC).
The martial law directive allows for the immediate establishment of military courts to try a wide range of offenses, including treason, incitement, terrorism, murder, robbery, corruption, and drug-related crimes.
Punishments handed down by these military tribunals are uncompromising, ranging up to life imprisonment or the death penalty “in serious cases.”
Crucially, defendants convicted by these courts are not permitted to appeal their sentences, with the orders noting that only “limited review” options are available.
Friday’s crackdown was formalized through four separate orders, underscoring the military’s recent leadership restructuring.
Two of the orders were signed by Min Aung Hlaing, who relinquished his military title to be inaugurated as President by a pro-military parliament on April 10.
The other two orders were signed by Ye Win Oo, who officially replaced Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s highest-ranking military officer on March 30.
Emergency rule by law
The targeted state of emergency follows the regime’s decision on July 31 of last year to officially end the nationwide state of emergency, which had been repeatedly extended since the February 2021 military coup.
However, the lifting of the nationwide order simply transitioned the country into localized, heavy-handed military rule. Min Aung Hlaing previously introduced martial law in 63 townships for an initial 90-day period, which saw subsequent extensions in October 2025 and January 2026.
Friday’s official list of 60 townships encompasses vast swathes of the country’s most heavily contested battlegrounds:
Shan State (15 townships): Namtu, Mabein, Kutkai, Namkham, Hsenwi, Kunlong, Namhsan, Manton, Hopang, Laukkai, Konkyan, Momeik, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mongla.
Arakan State (14 townships): Ramree, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Gwa, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myebon, Mrauk-U, Thandwe, Ann, and Taungup.
Sagaing Region (8 townships): Kawlin, Pinlebu, Khin-U, Wetlet, Kanni, Depayin, Pale, and Indaw.
Chin State (7 townships): Kanpetlet, Thantlang, Paletwa, Tonzang, Mindat, Matupi, and Falam.
Kachin State (5 townships): Sumprabum, Injangyang, Shwegu, Chipwi, and Tsawlaw.
Magway Region (5 townships): Pauk, Myaing, Saw, Htilin, and Yesagyo.
Karenni State (3 townships): Shadaw, Hpasawng, and Mese.
Karen State (2 townships): Kawkareik and Kyainseikgyi.
Mandalay Region (1 township): Ngazun.
