Min Aung Hlaing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Min Aung Hlaing
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မင်းအောင်လှိုင်
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Min Aung Hlaing in 2021
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| Chairman of the State Administration Council | |
| Assumed office 2 February 2021 |
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| President | Myint Swe (acting) Himself (acting) |
| Deputy | Soe Win (general) |
| Preceded by | Aung San Suu Kyi (as State Counsellor) |
| President of Myanmar | |
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Acting
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| Assumed office 22 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Myint Swe (acting) |
| 12th Prime Minister of Myanmar | |
| Assumed office 1 August 2021 |
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| President | Myint Swe (acting) Himself (acting) |
| Deputy |
See list
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| Preceded by | Thein Sein (2011) |
| Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services | |
| Assumed office 30 March 2011 |
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| President | Thein Sein Htin Kyaw Win Myint Myint Swe (acting) Himself (acting) |
| Deputy | Soe Win (general) |
| State Counsellor | Aung San Suu Kyi |
| Preceded by | Than Shwe |
| Joint Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces | |
| In office June 2010 – 30 March 2011 |
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| Commander-in-Chief | Than Shwe |
| Preceded by | Shwe Mann |
| Succeeded by | Hla Htay Win |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 July 1956 Minbu, Magway Region, Burma (now Myanmar) |
| Citizenship | Burmese |
| Spouse | Kyu Kyu Hla |
| Children | Multiple, including: Aung Pyae Sone Khin Thiri Thet Mon |
| Alma mater | Rangoon Arts and Sciences University (LL.B) Defence Services Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Tatmadaw |
| Branch/service |  Myanmar Army |
| Years of service | 1974–present |
| Rank |  Senior General |
| Battles/wars | Internal conflict in Myanmar
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Min Aung Hlaing (Burmese: မင်းအောင်လှိုင်; born 3 July 1956) is a Burmese army general who has ruled Myanmar as the chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) since seizing power in the February 2021 coup d'état. He additionally appointed himself Prime Minister of Myanmar in August 2021. He has led the Tatmadaw (armed forces of Myanmar), an independent branch of government, as the Commander-in-chief of Defence Services since March 2011, when he was handpicked to succeed longtime military ruler Senior General Than Shwe, who transferred leadership over the country to a civilian government upon retiring. Before assuming leadership over the Tatmadaw, Min Aung Hlaing served as Joint Chief of Staff from 2010 to 2011. Min Aung Hlaing is the first Defence Services Academy (DSA) graduate in Myanmar to lead a military coup as well as the first DSA graduate to become Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Born in Minbu, Magway Region, Burma, Min Aung Hlaing studied law at the Rangoon Arts and Science University before joining the military. Rising through its ranks, he became a senior general (five-star general) by 2013. During the period of civilian rule from 2011 to 2021, Min Aung Hlaing worked to ensure the military's continued role in politics and forestalled the peace process with ethnic armed groups. A United Nations fact-finding mission found he deliberately perpetrated the Rohingya genocide. He maintained an adversarial relationship with democratically-elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, though she defended him against genocide charges.
Min Aung Hlaing baselessly claimed widespread voting irregularities and electoral fraud in the 2020 Myanmar general election, in which Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide re-election. He then seized power from her in the 2021 coup. He had been expected to run for President of Myanmar had the military proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), won enough seats in parliament to elect him, and would have been required to retire as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services due to a statutory age limit. With the outbreak of mass protests against his rule, Min Aung Hlaing ordered a clampdown and suppression of demonstrations, sparking an ongoing civil war.
Min Aung Hlaing's forces have employed scorched earth tactics in the civil war, including airstrikes on civilians. He has ordered the execution of prominent pro-democracy activists, the first use of the death penalty in decades. In February 2024, he activated Myanmar's conscription law to draft 60,000 young people into the Tatmadaw. In foreign policy, he has resisted influence from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and relied on greater cooperation with Russia, China, and India. In response to his human rights abuses and corruption, Min Aung Hlaing and his government have been subjected to an extensive series of international sanctions, returning Myanmar to its former status as a pariah state. The 2022 Democracy Index rated Myanmar under Min Aung Hlaing as the second-most authoritarian regime in the world, with only Afghanistan rated less democratic.
Contents
Early life and education
Min Aung Hlaing was born on 3 July 1956 in Minbu, Magway Region, Burma (now Myanmar), to Khin Hlaing and Hla Mu, as the fourth of five children. His parents were teachers from Dawei, in Tanintharyi Region. His family moved to Mandalay as duty when he was 5 years old. His father, Khin Hlaing, was an artist.
Min Aung Hlaing passed his matriculation exam in 1972 at Basic Education High School No. 1 Latha (BEHS 1 Latha) of Rangoon (now Yangon). He attended and studied law at the Rangoon Arts and Science University from 1973 to 1974. On his third attempt, he was admitted to the Defence Services Academy in 1974 as part of the 19th Intake, and he graduated in 1977. According to classmates, Min Aung Hlaing was taciturn, and an unremarkable cadet. He was reportedly shunned by classmates because of his reserved personality.
Career
Following graduation, Min Aung Hlaing went on to serve in different command positions, rising slowly through the ranks. Early in his career, military colleagues gave him a nickname referring to cat feces, "something deposited quietly but leaving a powerful stink." As he rose through the ranks, Min Aung Hlaing earned a reputation as a hardliner. His military work earned him the favour of Senior General Than Shwe. Min Aung Hlaing is characterized as having a "big man" management style not conducive to collaboration or listening.
In 2002, he was promoted to commander of the Triangle Regional Military Command in eastern Shan State and was a central figure in negotiations with two rebel groups, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). Min Aung Hlaing was reportedly close with former Thai prime minister and a General Prem Tinsulanonda, considering Prem a father figure.
Min Aung Hlaing supported the military crackdown of the Saffron Revolution in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2009 after leading an offensive against the insurgent Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kokang. In June 2010, Min Aung Hlaing replaced General Shwe Mann as Joint Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
As a Junior Officer
Min Aung Hlaing graduated from the Defence Services Academy (DSA) in 1977 with the 19th intake. After graduation, he was assigned to the No. (313) Light Infantry Battalion (Hmawbi), then known as the No. (1) Shan Rifle Battalion, under the command of the No. (77) Light Infantry Division. Former President of Myanmar Thein Sein was also assigned to this battalion, and former Director of Defence Service Intelligence General Khin Nyunt served as a company commander in the same unit. In an interview with Popular News Journal ahead of the November 2020 election, Min Aung Hlaing stated, "I was raised in the Shan 1."
In 1979, during an offensive known as Operation Min Yan Aung (Victorious King) against the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) in what is now Matman Township in Wa State, east of the Thanlwin River, Min Aung Hlaing served as an Intelligence Officer (IO) ranked as a Lieutenant (2 stars) at 23 years old.
In 1989, as a Captain (3 stars), Min Aung Hlaing took part in the Battle of Wan Kha Thit, better known as the Battle of Kawmoora. This battle was a clash between army troops controlled by then Commander-in-chief Senior general Than Shwe and the Karen National Union (KNU). Due to the base's difficult position to attack, the Myanmar military repeatedly assaulted it throughout 1989 but failed to seize it, halting operations in 1990 after suffering hundreds of casualties.
To ward off harm from enemy shells and bullets, Min Aung Hlaing carried a Buddha statue in his bag of topographic maps worn across his chest. Despite making speeches for officer cadets to be brave soldiers like him, he never led any missions against KNU troops.
Although he promoted bravery in his speeches, Min Aung Hlaing showed limited combat capabilities as a junior officer, only participating in two major battles and playing insignificant roles in both. Near the front line, he was known to carry a Buddha figurine, hoping it would ward off death.
As a Battalion Commander
Min Aung Hlaing served as a Battalion Officer Commanding, ranked as a Major, at the No. (369) Light Infantry Battalion (Homalin) under the Regional Operations Command (Kalay) of the Northwestern Regional Military Command. During his tenure, he imprisoned the pregnant wife of a sergeant who was deemed to have deserted the battalion. At that time, the General Officer Commanding of the Regional Operations Command (Kalay) was Brigadier General Thura Aung Ko, and the Tactical Operation Command Officer Commanding was Colonel Kyaw Thu. During an inspection, Colonel Kyaw Thu discovered the woman locked in the battalion prison and questioned Major Min Aung Hlaing why he did such a thing. Min Aung Hlaing explained that she was imprisoned because her husband had deserted. The woman was only released thanks to Colonel Kyaw Thu's intervention.
Min Aung Hlaing had a habit of such actions since his time as a Battalion Commander, and it came as no surprise that similar actions were applied to the population after the coup.
The actions taken by Min Aung Hlaing during his time as a Battalion Commander have been noted in various accounts.
As DSA Rector
Min Aung Hlaing served as the 19th rector of the Defence Services Academy (DSA), having graduated from its 19th intake. During his tenure, he was involved in an incident with Nay Shwe Thway Aung (also known as Phoe La Pyae), the 8-year-old grandson of Senior General Than Shwe. Nay Shwe Thway Aung visited the academy with a colonel acting as his personal bodyguard. At Nay Shwe Thway Aung's request, Min Aung Hlaing organized a football match, dismissing the Officer Cadets from their Physical Training (PT) session. Throughout the match, Min Aung Hlaing frequently inquired about Nay Shwe Thway Aung's well-being, contrasting with his usually strict demeanor towards the officers on the field.
Min Aung Hlaing was known for his strict enforcement of military regulations. He reported several coaches and cadets to the Military Appointment General (MAG) for minor infractions, such as not wearing helmets while riding motorcycles. These actions were perceived as efforts to secure his promotion to Major General and to obtain a position as a General Officer Commanding as a Regional Military Command. As a result of his reports, the officers and cadets faced significant career setbacks, with many unable to advance beyond the rank of Captain.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
2011–2015: Union Solidarity and Development Party rule
In the lead-up to 2011, the military began embarking on a series of political reforms to transition Myanmar to a quasi-democracy. The ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDP), engineered its formal departure from power, after holding the 2010 Myanmar general election, which was won by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the military's proxy party. On 30 March 2011, outgoing head of state, Senior General Than Shwe, then the incumbent Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Armed Forces, appointed Min Aung Hlaing as his successor, ahead of more senior officers. Min Aung Hlaing's appointment coincided with the USDP's rise to power, during which he oversaw a series of military reforms, and supported efforts by the USDP-led government to strike peace deals with ethnic armed organisations.
Not long after becoming Commander in Chief, he removed the Adjutant General, Lieutenant General Kyaw Phyo and General Officer Commanding of Central Regional Military Command Major General Tin Ngwe and built the atmosphere of fear among the top brass.
In November 2011, according to The Irrawaddy, it was "widely believed" that following Min Aung Hlaing's meetings with Chinese military officials that month and his leadership in creating a bilateral agreement on defense cooperation with the Chinese, he had also held talks with Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping regarding cooperation from China with respect to the Kachin Conflict.
On 27 March 2012, during a speech in Naypyidaw, Min Aung Hlaing defended the military's continued role in national politics. On 3 April 2012, the Government of Myanmar announced that Min Aung Hlaing had been promoted to vice-senior general (four-star general), the second highest rank in the Myanmar Armed Forces. He was promoted to the rank of senior general (five-star general), the highest rank in the Myanmar's Armed Forces in March 2013.
In 2014, as Min Aung Hlaing approached the age of 60, which is the mandatory age of retirement for military officers, the Armed Forces' Department of Defence Council issued a directive, enabling Min Aung Hlaing to extend his mandatory retirement age to 65, in 2021.
In August 2015, the USDP fractured, and President Thein Sein purged the faction led by Shwe Mann, a former general and Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw. Min Aung Hlaing oversaw a direct military intervention to oust Shwe Mann from power, indicating the military's desire to continue furthering its agenda through USDP. Shwe Mann had advocated for legislation and constitutional amendments that would have decreased the military's influence, against the interests of the military and USDP.
2016–2020: Transition to National League for Democracy rule
The 2015 Myanmar general election saw the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, win in a landslide. With the transition from an USDP to NLD-led government, Min Aung Hlaing shifted his priorities to recovering state power for the military establishment. His intransigence and refusal to cooperate with the civilian-led government undermined progress toward Myanmar's peace process. As the NLD assumed power, Min Aung Hlaing began intensifying an ongoing military crackdown on the Rohingya, beginning in October 2016. At the Union Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong in August 2020, he warned the NLD against scapegoating the military for its role in the ongoing ethnic conflicts.
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Min Aung Hlaing also began to signal his interest in civilian politics. He began assuming a more statesman-like persona, and became increasingly assertive about the military's role. In the lead-up to the 2020 Myanmar general election, he worked with the USDP to position himself as the next President. Throughout 2019, Min Aung Hlaing made several public appearances dubbed a "charm offensive," at several religious sites and charity functions, raising speculation about his political ambitions. To cultivate his public persona, he began two Facebook pages]] that commanded a combined following of 4.1 million followers. In January 2020, Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Nay Pyi Taw. Xi promoted the practical cooperation under the framework of the One Belt One Road to achieve results at an early date and benefit Myanmar's people. In May 2020, Min Aung Hlaing reshuffled senior military ranks, promoting a new generation of officers loyal to him, including Kyaw Swar Lin, who became the military's youngest lieutenant general.
War with the Arakan Army intensified during this period, and the military was accused of targeting Arakanese civilians and their properties. On 17 March 2019, Kyaw Zaw Oo, an Arakanese MP, published a bilingual open letter to Min Aung Hlaing about the many human rights violations of the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State that harmed the lives and property of civilians and damaged buildings of cultural heritage.
2020–present
In February 2020, Min Aung Hlaing, his wife Kyu Kyu Hla and with his close astrologer Vasipake Sayadaw placed the "Hti" umbrella atop Bagan's most powerful ancient Htilominlo Temple. The meaning of the temple name is "need the royal umbrella, need the King". He was following in the footsteps of some of Myanmar's most powerful political figures including his predecessor, Senior General Than Shwe. Many people believed that the ceremony was a yadaya and seeking divine blessings for his glory.
In November 2020, Min Aung Hlaing made a series of public comments questioning the legitimacy of the upcoming 2020 election, in potential violation of the Civil Services Personnel Law. On 5 November, the [atmadaw declared that Min Aung Hlaing's rank is equivalent to Vice President of Myanmar. After casting his ballot in the 2020 election, Min Aung Hlaing vowed to accept the election results. The 2020 election saw NLD win in a larger landslide than in 2015, forestalling Min Aung Hlaing's political ambitions. In response, the military began intensifying allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities, submitting formal complaints to the Union Election Commission (UEC). On 27 January 2021, Min Aung Hlaing publicly remarked that he would not rule out a coup d'état and abolition of the constitution, if allegations of voter fraud during last year's election were not adequately addressed. These comments sparked concern about another potential coup. The following day, the UEC issued a statement rejecting claims of electoral fraud, citing the lack of evidence submitted to substantiate these claims. On 29 January, the military issued clarifying statements pledging to protect and abide by the constitution and applicable laws.
On 1 February 2021, Min Aung Hlaing detained elected leaders including President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and declared himself as Commander-in-chief of Myanmar, one day before democratically-elected members of parliament were scheduled to be sworn in as members of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union). The following day, he established the State Administration Council (SAC) as the country's interim ruling body.
On 22 May 2021, Min Aung Hlaing gave his first interview since the coup to Hong Kong-based Chinese language Phoenix Television. During the interview, he referred to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and he said that she "is in good health. She is at her home and healthy. She is going to face trial at the court in a few days." On the same day, Myanmar Now reported that shortly after the coup, Min Aung Hlaing appointed himself indefinitely as the commander-in-chief and therefore the de facto leader of Myanmar.
Six months after the coup, on 1 August 2021, Min Aung Hlaing formed a caretaker government and established himself as the country's prime minister. He also remains the Chairman of the SAC.
On 13 April 2023, Min Aung Hlaing was featured on Time magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People of 2023".
Myanmar civil war
After four pro-democracy activists were executed on 24 July 2022, the chairman of the ASEAN, Hun Sen, UN representatives, and Western leaders condemned the executions. On 7 September 2022, Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), in Vladivostok, Russia, the first time that the pair have met since the 2021 coup.
In January 2023, Min Aung Hlaing enacted a new electoral law aimed at rigging the next general election in favor of the USDP. He is himself considered a likely USDP nominee for President in the subsequent presidential election.
Min Aung Hlaing refused to give up his emergency powers when they were constitutionally set to expire on 1 February 2023, further delaying new elections.
In March 2023, Min Aung Hlaing made a rare public appearance at the Armed Forces Day parade stating that his government would continue to fight back against resistance groups in the country and their "acts of terror". Hlaing called his critics supporters of terrorism.
Starting in January 2024, multiple pro-military figures condemned Min Aung Hlaing for incompetence and excessive self-interest after the Tatmadaw suffered an unprecedented string of defeats during Operation 1027. In February 2024, to address the Tatmadaw's personnel issues, Min Aung Hlaing activated Myanmar's 1959 conscription law for the first time, with plans to draft 60,000 young men and women. Men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27 will be required to serve up to five years under the state of emergency, or face five years imprisonment.
In March 2024, Min Aung Hlaing claimed at the Armed Forces Day parade young people are being tricked into supporting the resistance against the military, and accused "some powerful nations" of trying to interfere with Myanmar’s internal affairs.
While attending the Defence Services Academy during Thingyan, the traditional New Year Water Festival on the evening of 14 April 2024, Min Aung Hlaing escaped a rocket attack by the Mandalay People's Defence Force (MDY-PDF).
According to SAC media, resistance groups in Yangon attempted to assassinate Min Aung Hlaing with explosives and firearms in June 2024.
On 22 July 2024 Min Aung Hlaing became acting President after Myint Swe took medical leave.
Sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing since 10 December 2019, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption. He has committed serious human rights abuses against members of ethnic minorities across Myanmar. The US sanctions include a freezing of assets under the US and a ban on transactions with any US person. In 2022, he was also placed on the sanctions list of the OFAC pursuant to Executive Order 14014, in response to the 2-21 coup. OFAC also sanctioned some of the companies that Hlaing and/or his associates owned or controlled, including the MEC conglomerate headed by Hlaing.
The Government of Canada has imposed sanctions on him since 18 February 2021, pursuant to Special Economic Measures Act and Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, in response to the gravity of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. Canadian sanctions include a freezing of assets and a ban on transactions with any Canadian person.
HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on him since 25 February 2021, for his responsibility for serious human rights violations in Myanmar. The UK sanctions include a freezing of assets under the UK and travel ban to the UK.
The Council of the European Union has also imposed sanctions on him since 22 March 2021, pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2021/479 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/480 which amended Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013, for his responsibility for the 2021 coup and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators. The EU sanctions include a freezing of assets and a ban on entry or transit to the bloc.
Personal life
Min Aung Hlaing married Kyu Kyu Hla, a retired lecturer, in 1980. He has several children, including son Aung Pyae Sone and daughter Khin Thiri Thet Mon.
Promotions
Major General – 2008/2009
Lieutenant General – Late 2009
General – Early 2011
Vice-Senior General – Early 2012
Senior General – March 2013
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Awards and decorations
Domestic honors
On 17 April 2022, Min Aung Hlaing gave himself Myanmar's two highest titles; the Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma (The Most Glorious Order of Truth) and the Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu (the Order of the Union of Myanmar).
On 7 October 2019, the Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) awarded him the title of Mingaladhamma Zawtika Dhaza and the permanent patron of the YMBA. On 9 December 2020, YMBA awarded him the title of Thado Thiri Agga Maha Mingalar Zawtika.
Foreign honours
- 2013 -
Thailand: 
The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, Knight Grand Cross (1st Class), Thailand - 2018 -
Malaysia: 
The Most Gallant Order of Military Service, Gallant Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces (Darjah Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera), Honorary Malaysian Armed Forces Order for Valor (1st Degree), Malaysia. - 2018 - Thailand:
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, Knight Grand Cross (1st Class), Thailand - 2020 -
Russia: 
Medal "For strengthening the military commonwealth" (Ministry of Defense, Russia) - 2020 - Russia:
Badge of Honor of FSMTC "For the Merits in the Field of Military-Technical Cooperation" - 2023 - Russia:
The Order of Alexander Nevsky for "his valuable endeavours to develop multi-sectoral cooperation with the Russian Federation"
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See also
In Spanish: Min Aung Hlaing para niños
