Known for terrorising civilians for decades, Myanmar’s military was once seen as a liberator
Burma’s first national army came out of World War II and the quest for independence. Every March 27, the Myanmar military celebrates its anniversary with a parade. | Reuters
With great fanfare – but few guests – Myanmar’s armed forces recently celebrated their 76th anniversary in the nation’s capital of Naypyitaw.
Only Russia, China, Thailand and a handful of other Asian countries sent representatives to attend the March 27 parade showing off Myanmar’s modern war machines – mostly imported from Russia and China over the past decade, to the tune of $2.4 billion.
Myanmar's brutal military was once a force for freedom -- but it's been waging civil war for decades theconversation.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theconversation.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
What began in the 1940s as a revolutionary army created to liberate Myanmar from British colonial rule soon turned repressive. The country has been a military dictatorship on and off since 1962.