Editing Myanmar (section)

=== Coup d'état and civil war ===
{{main|2021 Myanmar coup d'état|Myanmar civil war (2021–present)}}
{{See also|Myanmar protests (2021–present)}}

In Myanmar's 2020 parliamentary election, the ostensibly ruling [[National League for Democracy|National League for Democracy (NLD)]], the party of State Counsellor [[Aung San Suu Kyi]], competed with various other smaller parties &ndash; particularly the military-affiliated [[Union Solidarity and Development Party|Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)]].<ref name="myanmar_election_2020_11_11_nytimes_com">[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/world/asia/myanmar-election-aung-san-suu-kyi-results.html "Myanmar Election Delivers Another Decisive Win for Aung San Suu Kyi,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301062240/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/world/asia/myanmar-election-aung-san-suu-kyi-results.html |date=1 March 2021 }} 11 November 2020, ''The New York Times'', retrieved 18 December 2020</ref> Suu Kyi's NLD won the [[2020 Myanmar general election]] on 8 November in a landslide.<ref name="myanmar_election_2020_11_11_nytimes_com" /><ref name="suu_kyis_party_wins_2020_11_13_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54899170 "Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's party wins majority in election,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329220822/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54899170 |date=29 March 2023 }} 11 November 2020, BBC News, retrieved 18 December 2020</ref><ref name="commission_rejects_2021_01_29_apnews_com">[https://apnews.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-elections-myanmar-cc1b225b806c27dda748d3ab51d0e47f "Myanmar election commission rejects military's fraud claims,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203131321/https://apnews.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-elections-myanmar-cc1b225b806c27dda748d3ab51d0e47f |date=3 February 2021 }} 29 January 2021, [[Associated Press]], retrieved 28 February 2021</ref> The USDP, regarded as a proxy for the military, suffered a "humiliating" defeat<ref name="crisis_in_myanmar_2021_01_31_reuters">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-explainer/explainer-crisis-in-myanmar-after-army-alleges-election-fraud-idUSKBN2A113H "Explainer: Crisis in Myanmar after army alleges election fraud,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228221918/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-explainer/explainer-crisis-in-myanmar-after-army-alleges-election-fraud-idUSKBN2A113H |date=28 February 2021 }} 31 January 2021, updated 1 February 2021, [[Reuters News Service]], retrieved 28 February 2021</ref><ref name="defeated_2020_11_12_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/elections/military-backed-usdp-leaders-defeated-nld-myanmar-election.html "Military-Backed USDP Leaders Defeated by NLD in Myanmar Election,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301160653/https://www.irrawaddy.com/elections/military-backed-usdp-leaders-defeated-nld-myanmar-election.html |date=1 March 2021 }} 12 November 2020, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 28 February 2021</ref> &ndash; even worse than in 2015<ref name="defeated_2020_11_12_irrawaddy_com" /> &ndash; capturing only 33 of the 476 elected seats.<ref name="commission_rejects_2021_01_29_apnews_com" /><ref name="crisis_in_myanmar_2021_01_31_reuters" />

As the election results began emerging, the USDP rejected them, urging a new election with the military as observers.<ref name="myanmar_election_2020_11_11_nytimes_com" /><ref name="defeated_2020_11_12_irrawaddy_com" /> More than 90 other smaller parties contested the vote, including more than 15 who complained of irregularities. However, election observers declared there were no major irregularities.<ref name="crisis_in_myanmar_2021_01_31_reuters" /><ref name="commission_rejects_2021_01_29_apnews_com" /><ref name="myanmar_election_body_2021_01_28_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-election-body-rejects-military-allegations-electoral-fraud.html "Myanmar Election Body Rejects Military Allegations of Electoral Fraud,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301124627/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-election-body-rejects-military-allegations-electoral-fraud.html |date=1 March 2021 }} 28 January 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 6 February 2021</ref> However, despite the election commission validating the NLD's overwhelming victory,<ref name="myanmar_election_body_2021_01_28_irrawaddy_com" /> the USDP and Myanmar's military persistently alleged fraud.<ref name="military_condemns_2021_01_15_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-condemns-speakers-refusal-probe-election-fraud-claims.html "Myanmar Military Condemns Speaker's Refusal to Probe Election Fraud Claims,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310112448/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-condemns-speakers-refusal-probe-election-fraud-claims.html |date=10 March 2021 }} 15 January 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 7 February 2021</ref><ref name="Myanmar_military_2021_01_26_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-refuses-rule-coup-presses-claim-fraud-nov-election.html "Myanmar Military Refuses to Rule Out Coup as It Presses Claim of Fraud in Nov Election,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301142916/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-refuses-rule-coup-presses-claim-fraud-nov-election.html |date=1 March 2021 }} 26 January 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 7 February 2021</ref><ref name="military_threats channelnewsasia_com">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/military-threats--coup-fears-overshadow-myanmar-parliament-opening-14068508 "Military Thrests: Coup Fears Overshadow Myanmar Parliament Opening,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130124925/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/military-threats--coup-fears-overshadow-myanmar-parliament-opening-14068508 |date=30 January 2021 }} ''[[Channel NewsAsia]]'',</ref><ref name="military_chief_warns_2021_01_28_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-chief-warns-constitution-revoked-laws-not-followed.html "Myanmar Military Chief Warns Constitution Should Be Revoked If Laws Not Followed,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301124634/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-chief-warns-constitution-revoked-laws-not-followed.html |date=1 March 2021 }} 28 January 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 7 February 2021</ref><ref name="coup_talk_2021_01_28_bangkokpost_com">[https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2059323/un-embassies-fret-over-myanmar-coup-talk "UN, embassies fret over Myanmar coup talk,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224030219/https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2059323/un-embassies-fret-over-myanmar-coup-talk |date=24 February 2021 }} 28 January 2021, ''[[Bangkok Post]]'', retrieved 30 January 2021</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=July 2024}}
In January 2021, just before the new parliament was to be sworn in, the NLD announced that Suu Kyi would retain her State Counsellor role in the upcoming government.
<ref name="suu_kyi_to_keep_2021_01_25_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmars-daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-keep-state-counselor-position-nld-says.html "Myanmar's Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Keep State Counselor Position NLD Says,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301124641/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmars-daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-keep-state-counselor-position-nld-says.html |date=1 March 2021 }} 25 January 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 6 February 2021</ref>

[[File:We want our leader free Daw Aung San Su Kyi.jpg|thumb|left|Protesters against the military coup in Myanmar]]

In the early morning of 1 February 2021, the day parliament was set to convene, the [[Tatmadaw]], Myanmar's military, detained Suu Kyi and other members of the ruling party.<ref name="crisis_in_myanmar_2021_01_31_reuters" /><ref name=":3"/><ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com">[https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Myanmar-coup-Week-of-Feb.1-to-Feb.-21-EU-action-in-focus-as-foreign-ministers-set-to-meet "Myanmar coup: Week(s) of Feb.1 to Feb. 21, EU action in focus as foreign ministers set to meet; Candlelight vigil held in Yangon; Facebook removes military's 'True News' page,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302033544/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Myanmar-coup-Week-of-Feb.1-to-Feb.-21-EU-action-in-focus-as-foreign-ministers-set-to-meet |date=2 March 2021 }} (reverse chronology) 1 February through 21 February 2021, ''[[Nikkei Asia]]'', retrieved 1 March 2021</ref> The military handed power to military chief [[Min Aung Hlaing]] and declared a state of emergency for one year<ref name="suu_kyi_detained_2021_01_31_bloomberg_com">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/myanmar-s-suu-kyi-detained-in-early-morning-raid-reuters-says|title=Myanmar Military Takes Power for One Year, Suu Kyi in Detention|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=31 January 2021|via=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=1 February 2021|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201050819/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/myanmar-s-suu-kyi-detained-in-early-morning-raid-reuters-says|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> and began closing the borders, restricting travel and electronic communications nationwide.<ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" /> The military announced it would replace the existing election commission with a new one, and a military media outlet indicated new elections would be held in about one year &ndash; though the military avoided making an official commitment to that.<ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" /> The military expelled NLD party Members of Parliament from the capital city, [[Naypyidaw]].<ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" /> By 15 March 2021 the military leadership continued to extend martial law into more parts of Yangon, while security forces killed 38 people in a single day of violence.<ref>{{cite news|first=Helen|last=Regan|title=Chinese factories set on fire in Myanmar in deadliest day since coup|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/asia/myanmar-deaths-chinese-factories-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=15 March 2021|website=CNN|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315111827/https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/asia/myanmar-deaths-chinese-factories-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

By the second day of the coup, thousands of protesters were marching in the streets of Yangon, and other protests erupted nationwide, largely halting commerce and transportation. Despite the military's arrests and killings of protesters, the first weeks of the coup found growing public participation, including groups of civil servants, teachers, students, workers, monks and religious leaders &ndash; even normally disaffected ethnic minorities.<ref name="teachers_join_2021_02_05_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55944482 "Myanmar coup: Teachers join growing protests against military,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222185331/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55944482 |date=22 February 2021 }} 5 February 2021, BBC News, retrieved 28 February 2021</ref><ref name="tens_of_thousands_2021_02_07_irrawaddy_com">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/tens-thousands-take-streets-myanmar-protest-military-regime.html "Tens of Thousands Take to Streets in Myanmar to Protest Military Regime,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227061633/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/tens-thousands-take-streets-myanmar-protest-military-regime.html |date=27 December 2021 }} 12 November 2020, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'', retrieved 28 February 2021</ref><ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" />

The coup was immediately condemned by the [[United Nations Secretary General]], and leaders of democratic nations. The U.S. threatened sanctions on the military and its leaders, including a "freeze" of US$1 billion of their assets in the U.S.<ref name="teachers_join_2021_02_05_bbc" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" /> [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Russia]], [[Vietnam]], [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]] and [[China]] refrained from criticizing the military coup.<ref>{{cite news |title=On Bloodiest Day for Myanmar Civilians, India Attends Military Parade by Coup Leaders |url=https://thewire.in/diplomacy/india-china-russia-pakistan-attend-myanmar-armed-forces-day-parade |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=28 March 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328071814/https://thewire.in/diplomacy/india-china-russia-pakistan-attend-myanmar-armed-forces-day-parade |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=China Responds to Bloodshed in Myanmar With Deafening Silence |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/china-responds-to-bloodshed-in-myanmar-with-deafening-silence/ |work=The Diplomat |date=2 March 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043203/https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/china-responds-to-bloodshed-in-myanmar-with-deafening-silence/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India has a history of involvement in its neighbours' affairs. Why has it not condemned the Myanmar coup? |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3122841/india-has-history-involvement-its-neighbours-affairs-why-has-it |work=South China Morning Post |date=24 February 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043304/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3122841/india-has-history-involvement-its-neighbours-affairs-why-has-it |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Myanmar coup: ASEAN split over the way forward |url=https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-coup-asean-ties/a-57042503 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=29 March 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610152119/https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-coup-asean-ties/a-57042503 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[United Nations Security Council]] resolution called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the other detained leaders<ref name="teachers_join_2021_02_05_bbc" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" /> &ndash; a position shared by the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]].<ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" />

International development and aid partners &ndash; business, non-governmental, and governmental &ndash; hinted at suspension of partnerships with Myanmar. Banks were closed and [[social media]] communications platforms, including [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]], removed Tatmadaw postings. Protesters appeared at Myanmar embassies in foreign countries.<ref name="teachers_join_2021_02_05_bbc" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_2021_02_21_nikkei_com" /> The National Unity Government then declared the formation of an armed wing on 5 May 2021, a date that is often cited as the start of a [[Myanmar civil war (2021–present)|full-scale civil war]]. This armed wing was named the [[People's Defence Force (Myanmar)|People's Defence Force]] (PDF) to protect its supporters from military junta attacks and as a first step towards a Federal Union Army. The civil war is ongoing as of 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Can Myanmar's New 'People's Defense Force' Succeed? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/can-myanmars-new-peoples-defense-force-succeed/ |agency=The Diplomat |date=26 April 2021 |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509135933/https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/can-myanmars-new-peoples-defense-force-succeed/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-civil-war-in-myanmar-no-end-in-sight/ | title=The civil war in Myanmar: No end in sight | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=13 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013033325/https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-civil-war-in-myanmar-no-end-in-sight/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
[[File:Myanmar_civil_war.svg|thumb|Military situation in Myanmar {{As of|2025|4|4|lc=yes}}. Areas controlled by the [[Tatmadaw]] are highlighted in {{highlight|red|#EBC0B3}}.]]