Tatmadaw

The Tatmadaw is the official name of the armed forces of Myanmar (Burma). It has a long history of involvement in the country's politics, culminating in the February 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, is now seeking to legitimize his rule, with the military-backed parties recently 'winning' elections widely condemned internationally. This has triggered a process to select a president, presumably with Min Aung Hlaing as the frontrunner. The Tatmadaw's actions have led to widespread armed resistance across the country. In regions like Tanintharyi, local resistance forces have managed to contain the military's influence after five years of guerrilla warfare. The Tatmadaw's continued grip on power and the ongoing civil conflict make it a significant factor in Myanmar's political instability and humanitarian crisis.