Myanmar extends state of emergency by 6 months as fighting intensifies

Economic turmoil, combat with ethnic rebels cast shadow over plans for 2025 election

Army soldiers and police officers patrol in Lashio, Myanmar, in May 2013. The city, which is near the border with China, is one of the most important in northern Shan State for the Myanmar military. © AP

Nikkei staff writers

July 31, 2024 18:18 JST

Updated on August 1, 2024 02:38 JST

BANGKOK/YANGON -- Myanmar's military regime on Wednesday extended a national state of emergency by six months amid intense fighting with rebel groups, stoking concern that it could increase political and economic control ahead of a proposed general election in 2025.

Myanmar has remained under a state of emergency since the military took control of the country in February 2021. The National Defense and Security Council decided to extend the emergency for the sixth time at a meeting in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Wednesday.