The regime in Naypyidaw extended martial law on Sunday for another 90 days in 55 townships nationwide—reducing the number from 58 under the previous order issued on July 21—after removing Mandalay Region’s Ngazun Township in Shan State’s Kyaukme and Hsipaw townships.
“Administrative affairs, community peace and stability, and the rule of law have returned to normal conditions in these three townships,” stated the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Ye Win Oo on Oct. 18.
Regime forces recaptured Kyaukme and Hsipaw from the ethnic armed group, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), during a counteroffensive in northern Shan State in October 2025.
Both towns, 21 miles (34 km) apart and located 45-68 miles (72-109 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio, had been seized by the TNLA in 2024.
Mandalay’s Ngazun, located 40 miles (64 km) west of the region’s capital Mandalay, was the only township that was recaptured by regime forces from the People’s Defense Force (PDF) to have its martial law order revoked. The PDF seized it last year.
Martial law orders transfer executive and judicial powers from civilian authorities to the military under Section 413(b) of Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution.
Under the order, military chief Ye Win Oo can exercise these powers directly or delegate them to other military authorities. Military tribunals can try civilians for a range of offences and impose severe penalties, including the death penalty.
The 55 townships under martial law include parts of Shan, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Karenni and Karen states, as well as Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions where fighting between regime and resistance forces have continues following the 2021 military coup.
In Arakan State, the Arakan Army (AA) controls 14 of the state’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. All 15 remain under martial law. Also included are townships Kachin, Karenni, and Karen states, as well as Sagaing and Magway regions.
