Born in Thanlyin, Myanmar on 1962, Maung Maung Aye joined the military at an early age, eventually becoming a key figure in the Myanmar Army's strategic command.[5][6] He advanced quickly through the ranks, establishing a reputation for his organizational skills and military leadership.[7][8] Over the years, he has held multiple important roles, including serving as a commander in the Myanmar infantry and heading various regional commands.[9] His military career includes significant involvement in Myanmar’s military operations during various conflicts, particularly in the regions of Kachin, Shan, and Karen States.[10][11] His leadership in these areas has been controversial, particularly due to allegations of human rights abuses and military violence, which have led to international sanctions against him.[12] In addition to his military positions, Maung Maung Aye has cultivated strong diplomatic relations with countries like China, Russia, and India, while also facing condemnation from Western governments.[13][14] Under his leadership, the military junta has been criticized for its continued suppression of pro-democracy movements and human rights violations, particularly the violent repression of protests in Myanmar.[15]
In his personal life, Maung Maung Aye is described as a pragmatic and ambitious figure, with a reputation for being closely aligned with the policies and goals of Senior GeneralMin Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s top military leader.[16] He has been heavily involved in Myanmar’s political machinery since 2011, and his ascent to the deputy defense minister position marked a significant step in his career.[17] The Myanmar military's leadership under Maung Maung Aye’s influence has continued to engage in controversial actions, including the violent crackdown on peaceful protests in 2021 and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians.[18] His leadership has led to increased isolation for Myanmar, with many international organizations calling for accountability for the abuses carried out by the military during his tenure.[19]
Early life and education
Maung Maung Aye was born on 1962 in Thanlyin, Myanmar.[20] He joined the Myanmar Armed Forces at a young age, enrolling at the Defence Services Academy (DSA) in Pyin Oo Lwin.[21] During his time at the academy, he was trained in military tactics, leadership, and the strategic aspects of warfare, which laid the foundation for his rise through the ranks in Myanmar's military.[22]
Little is known about his early personal life, but it is clear that Maung Maung Aye's education at the Defence Services Academy played a significant role in shaping his future.[23] Upon completing his education, he quickly moved into military service, establishing a career that would eventually see him rise to the top echelons of the Myanmar military leadership.[24]
Military career
Maung Maung Aye’s military career began in the early 1980s.[25] He first gained recognition as a commander within the Myanmar Infantry, gradually rising through the ranks due to his military expertise and leadership capabilities.[26] Over the years, he held various important positions, including overseeing regional military commands in some of Myanmar's most conflict-ridden areas, such as Kachin, Shan, and Karen States. By 2019, Maung Maung Aye had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, marking a significant milestone in his military career. His leadership has been characterized by a combination of organizational skills and an unwavering loyalty to the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) hierarchy. He was a key figure in the 2010 military reforms under the then-leader Senior GeneralThan Shwe and continued to solidify his position within the military.
In 2011, Maung Maung Aye’s influence within Myanmar’s military structure expanded, as he began to take on more political responsibilities. His role as a member of the State Administration Council after the February 2021 coup cemented his position as a significant player in Myanmar’s ongoing political turmoil. Following the coup, he was appointed Chief of General Staff of Army, Navy, and Air Force, a critical position that allowed him to wield substantial control over the country's military strategy.
Maung Maung Aye was one of the key figures in the military coup of February 2021 that led to the overthrow of the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. His contributions to the coup included supporting the decision to detain civilian leaders and backing the military junta’s subsequent actions. His role in the junta has drawn significant international scrutiny, as human rights organizations have accused him of involvement in war crimes, particularly related to the crackdown on protests and ethnic minorities. His military career, although marked by significant promotion and power, has been controversial due to the increasing isolation Myanmar faces on the international stage and the allegations of human rights abuses associated with his actions.
Maung Maung Aye is a senior military officer who graduated from the Defence Services Academy as part of the No. 25 cadet course, sharing the same number as General Mya Tun Oo. He enlisted in the army with gazetted number 17580. As a colonel, he was stationed at the operations command headquarters (6) SKA-6 in Nay Pyi Taw and later became the head of Pinmana military headquarters. In August 2010, he was promoted to the rank of general and appointed commander of the Nay Pyi Taw military headquarters. In August 2015, he was promoted to lieutenant general and took on the role of Chief of Staff of the Tatmadaw's training department.
Following the 2021 Myanmar military coup, Maung Maung Aye succeeded General Mya Tun Oo as the Coordinating Commander for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.[27] On 25 September 2023, after the reshuffling of the State Administration Council, he became a member of the council after the removal of Lieutenant Generals Soe Htut and Moe Myint Tun.[5] More than two and a half years after the coup, Maung Maung Aye rose to a high-ranking position within the junta's leadership structure.[28][7] Additionally, in February 2024, he was appointed to head the newly formed Reserve Force Calling Central Committee.[29]
In December 2024, following significant military setbacks in Rakhine State, Maung Maung Aye was appointed by army leader Senior GeneralMin Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s new Minister of Defense, replacing General Tin Aung San.[30] This reshuffle came amid heavy losses in Rakhine, where the military had lost control of 12 out of 17 townships over the preceding 13 months, with the Western Command headquarters in Ann Town nearing collapse. The reshuffle reflected Min Aung Hlaing's ongoing struggle to maintain control over the regime’s armed forces and secure key territories.[31]
Maung Maung Aye’s appointment marked the third time since the 2021 coup that the post of Minister of Defense had changed hands. His predecessors, General Mya Tun Oo (who had been assigned to the Ministry of Transport and Communications) and General Tin Aung San, had both overseen the ministry during a period of intense military pressure and territorial losses. The military defeats in Rakhine, along with operations in other regions like Shan, Kachin, and Karenni States, had severely undermined the regime’s position, necessitating leadership changes within the defense sector.[32]
The position of Defense Minister in Myanmar’s military junta is often considered an inactive or administrative role, primarily involved with procurement, but the frequent turnover indicates a deeper crisis of trust and competence within the military leadership. It has been suggested that General Min Aung Hlaing’s decision to place Maung Maung Aye in this role may be partly due to the lack of other trusted candidates, as Maung Maung Aye had been associated with former General Shwe Mann, a longtime rival of Min Aung Hlaing. This historical connection may have contributed to Min Aung Hlaing’s strained relationship with Maung Maung Aye.[33]
Despite these political dynamics, Maung Maung Aye’s new appointment is part of a broader strategy by Min Aung Hlaing to stabilize the regime amid growing internal and external pressures. Maung Maung Aye had previously served as Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air Force) after the coup, playing a key role in military operations and organizational changes within the armed forces. His appointment as Defense Minister, however, underscores the regime’s struggles to counteract the ongoing insurgencies and mass civil disobedience movements that have posed a significant challenge to military rule.[34]
The reshuffle was also significant as it saw the promotion of Quartermaster-General Kyaw Swar Lin to Chief of the General Staff, further consolidating Min Aung Hlaing's control over the military leadership. Kyaw Swar Lin, a trusted aide and known for his blind loyalty to Min Aung Hlaing, replaced Maung Maung Aye in the junta’s number-three position. This reshuffle reflects Min Aung Hlaing’s efforts to maintain his grip on power as he faces increasing opposition both from armed ethnic groups and pro-democracy factions within Myanmar.
Observers of Myanmar's political landscape noted that the reshuffle may also signal Min Aung Hlaing’s long-term strategies for dealing with the growing challenges to his regime. With an election scheduled for 2025, analysts speculated that Min Aung Hlaing may be positioning his allies in critical posts to secure his future, whether in continued political leadership or as part of an eventual exit strategy similar to that of former Senior GeneralThan Shwe. As the military continues to face escalating resistance, the reshuffle represents a critical moment in the ongoing power struggle within the junta’s ranks and the broader political landscape in Myanmar.
Role in the 2021 military coup
Maung Maung Aye played a significant role in the 2021 military coup, which ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD). The coup occurred after the military, citing alleged election fraud in the 2020 general elections, detained NLD leaders and seized control of the government. Maung Maung Aye's position as the chief of the military and his role in managing the armed forces' strategic operations made him a pivotal figure in the junta's efforts to consolidate power.
As a leading figure in the SAC, Maung Maung Aye became one of the public faces of the military regime, making statements and giving briefings that justified the coup while framing the military's actions as necessary for national security. His involvement was central to the junta's efforts to manage the military's image in the face of widespread condemnation from the international community and pro-democracy protests across Myanmar.
Key leadership roles and positions
In addition to his military career, Maung Maung Aye's leadership within Myanmar's junta was further solidified in September 2023, when he was appointed to the State Administration Council following a reorganization. This role granted him significant political power and placed him among the top military figures in the regime.
In February 2024, he was appointed to lead the newly formed Reserve Force Calling Central Committee, a body tasked with overseeing the recruitment and mobilization of military reserves as part of the junta's efforts to strengthen the military.
International relations and arms procurement
Maung Maung Aye is known for his key role in overseeing the procurement of military arms for Myanmar, particularly from countries like Russia and China. His diplomatic and defense activities have included discussions with international military counterparts, particularly from countries like India. These engagements are focused on bolstering Myanmar's military capacity, as well as fostering relationships with countries that continue to engage with the junta despite widespread international condemnation of Myanmar's human rights record.
Maung Maung Aye's activities in arms procurement, particularly Myanmar’s relationship with Russia, have been the subject of international scrutiny. His role in facilitating these arms deals has made him a central figure in Myanmar’s ongoing conflict with ethnic armed groups and resistance movements within the country.
Public perception and criticism
Maung Maung Aye has faced considerable criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, for his role in overseeing military operations that led to numerous human rights violations, including the suppression of peaceful protests, arbitrary detentions, and allegations of war crimes. His defense of the military's actions, often at odds with independent reports, has made him a controversial figure both within Myanmar and internationally.
Within Myanmar, he is viewed as a key figure in the junta's military strategy and a central actor in the government's efforts to suppress the growing civil disobedience and resistance movements. However, he also maintains strong support within military circles, where his leadership and strategic acumen are highly regarded.
Sanctions
As a prominent figure in the Myanmar military junta, Maung Maung Aye has been the target of sanctions imposed by multiple international governments, including the United States and the European Union, and Canada.[35][6][36] Sanctions have been imposed in response to Maung Maung Aye's involvement in the military coup and the subsequent actions against anti-coup protests and political opposition. These measures aim to address concerns related to Myanmar's democratic institutions and stability.
