Myanmar

Why is Myanmar's junta holding an election during a civil war? - explainer

Myanmar’s junta-led election is widely viewed as a bid to legitimize military power amid civil war, low turnout, and the exclusion of opposition parties.

|ByREUTERS
Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup, presides at an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021; illustrative.
Election Commission officials count ballots at a polling station during Myanmar's general election in Yangon, Myanmar, December 28, 2025; illustrative.

Final phase of Myanmar's election underway, military-backed party set to win

Myanmar opened polling stations for the final phase of a junta-led election, with low turnout, ongoing fighting, and a military-backed party poised to consolidate power.

|ByREUTERS
Judges arrive at the International Court of Justice at the start of a hearing where South Africa requests new emergency measures over Israel's attacks on Rafah, as part of an ongoing case South Africa filed at the ICJ in December last year, The Hague, Netherlands May 17, 2024.

Case accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya to open at ICJ

The outcome will have repercussions beyond Myanmar, likely affecting South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ against Israel over the war in Gaza.

|ByREUTERS, SHOSHANA BAKER, LARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF
Police officers stand guard at a polling station inside a school ahead of a general election, in Thingangyun Township, Yangon, Myanmar, December 27, 2025.

Myanmar to free over 6,000 prisoners in Independence Day amnesty amid general election

The junta also reduced sentences by one-sixth nationwide, excluding those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, terrorism, corruption, and arms- or drug-related offenses.

|ByREUTERS

Myanmar police file charges against Aung San Suu Kyi after coup

The Group of Seven largest developed economies condemned the coup on Wednesday and said the election result must be respected.

FEBRUARY 3, 2021ByREUTERS
Myanmar army armoured vehicles drive past a street after they seized power in a coup in Mandalay

Grapevine February 3, 20201: A gracious rival

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

FEBRUARY 2, 2021ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR to Romania, David Saranga.

Citizens of Myanmar spark mass civil disobedience campaign - watch

Doctors around the country will refuse to work starting on Wednesday, in a show of defiance against the return of military dictatorship.

FEBRUARY 2, 2021ByIDAN ZONSHINE
Residents of Yangon light candles outside their houses to show their disapproval of the recent military coup in Myanmar, Feb. 2, 2021.

Myanmar coup ‘a very sad day,’ says Jewish community leader

Myanmar’s local Jewish community numbers just 20 people, although there are between 40 to 60 Jewish expats in the country, from the US, UK and Israel.

FEBRUARY 2, 2021ByJEREMY SHARON
Myanmar Jewish community leader Sammy Samuels is seen addressing the synagogue during Hanukkah.

Israel's foreign ministry calls to release Myanmar leader Suu Kyi

The ministry said it is in contact with the Israeli embassy in Yangon and that its staff and their families, as well as Israeli citizens in Myanmar, are well.

FEBRUARY 2, 2021ByLAHAV HARKOV
Myanmar army armoured vehicles drive past a street after they seized power in a coup in Mandalay

Suu Kyi's party demands her release as Myanmar generals tighten grip

The United States threatened to reimpose sanctions on Myanmar's generals after they seized power and arrested Suu Kyi and dozens of her allies on dawn raids on Monday.

FEBRUARY 2, 2021ByREUTERS
Myanmar army armoured vehicles drive past a street after they seized power in a coup in Mandalay

Myanmar military seizes power, detains elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Spokesman Myo Nyunt told Reuters by phone that Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other leaders had been "taken" in the early hours of the morning.

FEBRUARY 1, 2021ByREUTERS
Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's torch bearer for democracy - profile

Suu Kyi, the spitting image of the idolized Aung San and an eloquent public speaker, became the leader of the new movement, quoting her father’s dream to "build up a free Burma".

FEBRUARY 1, 2021ByREUTERS
Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi smiles at supporters as she celebrates Thingyan in front of her home in Yangon

The story of the Jews of Burma

Like Israel, Burma has faced a plethora of challenges in the years since the heady days of independence.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020ByJULIE L. KESSLER
THE COLONIAL-ERA exterior facade of the synagogue flanked in front by street merchants plying their goods

Christian pastor jailed in Myanmar for flouting coronavirus gathering ban

Canadian David Lah posted a number of videos of himself at religious gatherings after the ban was introduced.

AUGUST 7, 2020ByDONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
Burmese-Canadian preacher David Lah, who is accused of organising prayers in defiance of restrictions on gatherings imposed by the government during a lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, arrives at a court in Yangon, Myanmar August 6, 2020.