• Burmese
Saturday, June 14, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

In Myanmar, The General Who Vanished Has Grabbed The Spotlight

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
April 23, 2024
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
In Myanmar, The General Who Vanished Has Grabbed The Spotlight

Myanmar junta No. 2 Vice Senior General Soe Win.

3.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

When the generals and their sycophants gathered for a cabinet meeting in Naypyitaw yesterday, all eyes were on the one who did not show up.

Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing tried to keep the focus on the threat of climate change, the need for better coaching in sports, and other issues, but those who follow his regime closely were asking why his deputy, General Soe Win, was not there.

General Soe Win’s condition, whereabouts and even his name were not mentioned by the junta ministers who attended the meeting at the Office of the Commander-In-Chief or their regional and state counterparts who Zoomed in.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Promises Voting in 267 Townships

Myanmar Junta Promises Voting in 267 Townships

June 9, 2025
965
Myanmar Junta Steps Up Arrests of Supporters

Myanmar Junta Steps Up Arrests of Supporters

June 6, 2025
1.4k
Massacres Expose Quake Aid Charade; War Crimes Pact With Russia; and More

Massacres Expose Quake Aid Charade; War Crimes Pact With Russia; and More

May 31, 2025
1.4k

He has not been seen in public since April 3 when he visited Ba Htoo, a garrison town in southern Shan State.

Unconfirmed reports say Min Aung Hlaing’s right-hand man was injured in a drone attack on April 9 as resistance forces attacked the headquarters of the Southeastern Command in Mon State’s Mawlamyine. Soe Win and senior officers were meeting there to discuss how to retake Myawaddy, a key town for border trade with Thailand that had just been captured by Karen rebels.

Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min has twice denied reports that Soe Win is receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in drone attacks. He has not, however, said where he is. And no new photos of the frequently photographed general have been released.

Soe Win was also absent from Myanmar’s traditional New Year celebrations in Naypyitaw. He had been a regular celebrant at the annual festival where, each year, he was photographed visiting pavilions set up by the families of those connected to the Commander-in-Chief Office and Naypyitaw’s mayor.

A graduate of the 22nd intake of the Defiance Services Academy, Soe Win has never been considered media shy.

Sources in the military say tension between him and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has risen since the military began suffering a string of humiliating defeats in late October last year. Military supporters have been publicly demanding that Min Aung Hlaing step down as military chief and hand the reins to Soe Win.

Two theories have emerged: Soe Win has been incapacitated by severe injuries, or he is about to be purged.

One event is mentioned in support of the purge claim. Former generals who criticized Min Aung Hlaing for being too soft on resistance forces were arrested just before Thingyan.

On April 10, former Lieutenant General Myint Hlaing was arrested in his home for alleged corruption.

The former chairman of the military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Naypyitaw, Myint Hlaing had served as agriculture minister under Thein Sein’s administration from 2011 to 2016.

When USDP members were targeted by resistance forces in the early days of the post-coup armed revolt, Myint Hlaing demanded that USDP members be armed to protect themselves – a move that earned him support from party members in Naypyitaw. However, he has often criticized Min Aung Hlaing for being too soft on resistance forces, which analysts say is the real reason for his arrest.

Two other generals are rumored to have been arrested along with Myint Hlaing for allegedly plotting to oust Min Aung Hlaing. The Irrawaddy has been unable to verify these rumors.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Drone attackmilitary purgeMin Aung HlaingMyanmar warSoe Win
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.3k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public
Burma

Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public

by The Irrawaddy
February 7, 2024
89.3k

People’s Defense Force says junta troops told every household in the village to send one member to witness the double...

Read moreDetails
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State
War Against the Junta

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
November 29, 2023
87k

Brotherhood Alliance member says it now has complete control of Kokang’s northernmost section after the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 125...

Read moreDetails
As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
46.8k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Coup Leader Showers Medals on Troops as String of Defeats Erodes Morale
Burma

Myanmar Coup Leader Showers Medals on Troops as String of Defeats Erodes Morale

by The Irrawaddy
December 8, 2023
32.9k

Min Aung Hlaing was trying to distract attention from a string of military defeats by handing out 147 medals for...

Read moreDetails
Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region
Burma

Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

by The Irrawaddy
November 25, 2023
31k

Chinese embassy urges citizens to flee Laukkai Town as ethnic armies prepare to drive Myanmar junta troops from Kokang’s capital.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Pa-O Activists Blame 66 Civilian Deaths on Myanmar Junta

Pa-O Activists Blame 66 Civilian Deaths on Myanmar Junta

Myanmar Junta Says Troops Back in Border Trade Hub Myawaddy

Myanmar Junta Says Troops Back in Border Trade Hub Myawaddy

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Will Myanmar’s Military Replace Its Embattled Leader?

Will Myanmar’s Military Replace Its Embattled Leader?

1 week ago
2.5k
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

3 days ago
938

Most Read

  • Untested Commander Takes Charge as Myanmar Military Faces Toughest Challenge in Decades

    Untested Commander Takes Charge as Myanmar Military Faces Toughest Challenge in Decades

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Advances into Karenni State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Is TNLA, Under Chinese Pressure, Conceding Northern Shan Gateway to the Regime?

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Tourism Sector Mocks Junta’s Russia Tourist Drive

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.