2021 Myanmar coup d'état — 2021 military overthrow of the Myanmar's officially elected government
Myanmar's military ousted its elected government on 1 February 2021, triggering a civil war that has killed over 50,000 people as of 2024.
Key Facts
- Date of coup
- 1 February 2021
- State of emergency duration
- One year (initially declared)
- Killed by junta forces (as of Mar 2024)
- At least 50,000 people
- Civilians killed
- At least 8,000 (incl. 570 children) people
- Individuals arrested
- 26,234 people
- Pro-democracy activists executed
- 4 (July 2022) people
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military, rejected the results of the November 2020 general election, which had delivered a landslide victory to the National League for Democracy. Military leaders alleged widespread electoral fraud and used this pretext to act on the day before the newly elected parliament was scheduled to be sworn in.
On 1 February 2021, the Tatmadaw detained President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, ministers, and members of parliament. Acting President Myint Swe declared a state of emergency and transferred power to Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, installing a military junta and invalidating the 2020 election results.
Widespread anti-coup protests were met with violent crackdowns, prompting armed resistance by the People's Defence Force aligned with the National Unity Government. The country descended into a multi-sided civil war still ongoing as of 2026, resulting in over 50,000 deaths, mass arrests, and the introduction of compulsory military conscription in February 2024.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Min Aung Hlaing, Myint Swe.
Side B
2 belligerents