NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Myanmar’s military junta stages its annual Armed Forces Day parade amidst a backdrop of escalating armed resistance, showcasing its might in the face of mounting challenges.
Struggling to contain a burgeoning armed opposition, the military faces setbacks as ethnic minority armed groups seize control of significant territories, prompting junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to acknowledge the difficulty of holding nationwide elections.
The junta, in power since a coup three years ago, confronts what a UN expert terms an “existential threat”, marked by casualties, defections, and widespread instability.
The Armed Forces Day parade, held in the evening due to hot weather, serves as a display of defiance and historical commemoration, reflecting resistance against Japanese occupation during World War II.
Security is heightened in Naypyidaw, the junta’s capital, ahead of the parade, underscoring the tense atmosphere prevailing in the country.
The coup in February 2021 triggered a deadly spiral of violence, claiming thousands of lives and plunging Myanmar’s economy into turmoil.
Despite past vows of decisive action, the junta’s hold on power appears increasingly precarious, with anti-junta People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) gaining momentum and ethnic minority fighters making strategic gains.
The UN special rapporteur warns of an “existential threat” to the military due to battlefield losses and recruitment challenges, prompting the junta to enforce mandatory military service.
The military coup, justified by unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud, continues to face international condemnation, with calls for the restoration of democracy and accountability for human rights abuses.
The crackdown on dissent since the coup has resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests, highlighting the junta’s ruthless suppression of opposition voices.
