Current:Home > MyMilitary-ruled Myanmar hosts joint naval exercise with Russia, its close ally and top arms supplier-InfoLens
Military-ruled Myanmar hosts joint naval exercise with Russia, its close ally and top arms supplier
View Date:2024-12-23 15:57:04
BANGKOK (AP) — The military-run Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar is holding its first joint naval exercise with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, with the two nations carrying out maneuvers in the Andaman Sea.
Reports in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said that the maritime security exercise between Myanmar and Russia was being held Tuesday to Thursday 157 kilometers (85 miles) west of Myeik in Myanmar’s far south. Some Russian navy vessels sailed from Yangon to take part, state television MRTV reported Tuesday.
The three-day joint drill involves aircraft and naval vessels from the two countries, and focuses on defending against threats from air, sea and land as well as other maritime security measures, the reports said.
Russia is a major supporter and arms supplier of Myanmar’s military government, which was installed after the army seized power and ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Russia defends Myanmar’s military government in international forums, and the ruling generals return the favor by generally supporting Moscow’s foreign policy agenda.
Myanmar has been treated as a pariah state by many Western nations since the takeover and the violent suppression of protests against it, which has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians and given rise to an armed resistance movement that battles the army in many parts of the country.
The Global New Light of Myanmar said the head of the military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing met on Monday with Russian Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, the commander-in-chief of Russia’s navy, at Thilawa port in the southern part of Yangon, where a welcome ceremony was held for a group of Russian navy ships.
Min Aung Hlaing was briefed about the capacity of Russian weapons, the installation of modern systems and facts about an anti-submarine helicopter, the reports said.
Tom Andrews, the U.N. independent investigator on human rights in Myanmar, in a report in May to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council identified $406 million in weapons and material that went to the Myanmar military from Russia, $267 million from China, $254 million from Singapore, $51 million from India and $28 million from Thailand.
Since the 2021 takeover, the report said, 28 Russian private and state-owned companies have transferred fighter jets and their spare parts, advanced missile systems, reconnaissance and attack drones, attack helicopters and other systems to the military.
Russian-made fighter jets are used in attacks on pro-democracy guerrilla fighters and ethnic armed groups that also are battling army rule.
As an example of what he called the military’s brutality, Andrews pointed to its April 11 air strike using a Russian Yak-130 fighter jet on a ceremony in northern Myanmar attended by some 300 opponents of army rule, which was quickly followed by an attack by Russian Mi-35 helicopters on those who came to help. He said at least 160 people were killed, including many children.
The exercises come at a time when Myanmar’s military is facing the coordinated offensives of the pro-democracy resistance fighters and ethnic minority armed organizations hat have seized strategic towns in the northern region of Sagaing and Shan state in the east.
veryGood! (381)
Related
- Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
- Democrats run unopposed to fill 2 state House vacancies in Philadelphia
- Sean Diddy Combs Arrested in New York
- Cousins caps winning drive with TD pass to London as Falcons rally past Eagles 22-21
- Taylor Swift drops Christmas merchandise collection, including for 'Tortured Poets' era
- Target Circle Week is coming in October: Get a preview of holiday shopping deals, discounts
- Best Fall Sneaker Trends for Stepping Up Your Style This Season, Including Adidas, Puma, Nike & More
- Miley Cyrus Sued Over Flowers for Allegedly Copying Bruno Mars Song
- Daniele Rustioni to become Metropolitan Opera’s principal guest conductor
- Former Eagles player Jason Kelce brings star power to ESPN's MNF coverage
Ranking
- Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword, You've Come to the Right Place
- Arizona tribe fights to stop lithium drilling on culturally significant lands
- A man took a knife from the scene after a police shooting in New York City
- Food prices worried most voters, but Trump’s plans likely won’t lower their grocery bills
- Sean Diddy Combs Charged With Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Hours After New York Arrest
- Why Suede Bags Are Fashion’s Must-Have Accessory This Fall
- A key employee who called the Titan unsafe will testify before the Coast Guard
Recommendation
-
What Happened to Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Character? John Dutton’s Fate Revealed
-
All Amazon employees will return to the office early next year, says 'optimistic' CEO
-
Major companies abandon an LGBTQ+ rights report card after facing anti-diversity backlash
-
Why Josh Gad Regrets Using His Voice for Frozen's Olaf
-
Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr. leaves in wheelchair after banging head on court
-
Let This Be Your Easy Guide to What the Easy A Cast Is Up to Now
-
Monday Night Football: Highlights, score, stats from Falcons' win vs. Eagles
-
Rutgers president plans to leave top job at New Jersey’s flagship university