Report: Myanmar Military Has Imported $1B in Weapons Since Takeover

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Image copyright: Reuters [via CNN]

The Facts

  • On Wednesday, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, released a report stating that Myanmar's military has imported arms worth at least $1B since assuming the country's leadership in February 2021.

  • The study identified 254 unique suppliers of weapons and dual-use raw materials to the military, which was listed as the ultimate receiver in 94% of the transactions, and warned that international sanctions are being "easily circumvented."

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The Spin

Narrative A

This ill-founded report is just the latest Western attempt to smear its geopolitical rivals, blaming them for internal problems in Myanmar. Given that many countries and private companies have stable and long-term military cooperation with Myanmar, it's not shocking that weapons and other materials have continuously been transferred after the military took over the country.

Global Times

Narrative B

While it's not even a novelty that Myanmar's military junta — backed and emboldened by China and Russia since the 2021 coup — has been exterminating civilians as it carries out indiscriminate air strikes to crush the opposition, this report reasserts the need for the international community to adopt a similar approach to the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Guardian