NAY PYI TAW March 30
A ceremonial military parade honoring the succession of the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar took place at Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw this morning.
Ushered by two vanguard officers, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing and his successor Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo arrived at the venue.
Then the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and the successor took their positions on the dais and took the salute of Guard of Honour, while the ceremonial artillery unit gave a 19-gunsalute in honour of the ceremony.
The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services inspected the Guard of Honour.
In his honorary address, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing stated that today marks 52 years of his military service in various positions since joining the Tatmadaw in 1974. He noted that fifteen years ago, on March 30, 2011, Senior General Than Shwe and other senior military leaders entrusted him with the appointment of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. Since then, he has served to the best of his physical and intellectual abilities, striving to build a strong, efficient, and modern patriotic Tatmadaw, as envisioned by past leaders such as General Ne Win. In doing so, he combined the guidance of former leaders with practical experience to enhance the Tatmadaw’s capabilities and bring its standing closer to that of international armed forces.
The Senior General highlighted that he implemented progressive reforms across the Army, Navy, and Air Force while supporting national development throughout two successive democratic administrations. He stated that although the Tatmadaw repeatedly attempted to resolve the voterigging issues of the 2020 general election through constitutional means, these efforts were ignored in favor of attempts to seize State power by force. Consequently, the Tatmadaw declared a State of emergency and assumed State duties alongside its standard military functions. This period marked an unexpected political turning point. During this time, the country faced natural disasters, internal disturbances, and external instigation, all while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. How-ever, through unity and cooperation, the Tatmadaw and the people overcame these hardships. Following the successful conduct of the 2025 multi-party democracy general election in a free and fair manner, State duties will soon be transferred to a new government led by a President chosen through parliamentary elections.
The Senior General then honored General Ye Win Oo for his energetic service in multiple high-level roles, including Joint Secretary of the State Administration Council, Joint Executive Chief of National Defence and Security Council, Chief of Military Security Affairs and Commander-in-Chief (Army).
Finally, the Senior General announced the transfer of his duties as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to General Ye Win Oo, effective today. He pledged to continue serving the interests of the nation and the military from any assigned position. He expressed his gratitude to the leaders and colleagues he has worked with since 1974.
He concluded by urging the new generation of leaders to serve with harmony under General Ye Win Oo’s command, wishing for the continued glory and reliability of the Tatmadaw as an institution for the nation.
Subsequently, Military App-ointment General Lt-Gen Zeya Kyaw Htin Htein Win read out and presented the appointment letter, announcing the appointment of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo as the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
After that, the current Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing transferred the ceremonial sword of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and the flag of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of De-fence Services to the incoming Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo, who would assume the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and also pinned the command insignia of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services on him.
Subsequently, the new Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo, who assumed the role, respectfully returned a ceremonial honour sword to the former Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who had handed over the duties.
Then, in his speech upon assuming the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of De-fence Services of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo stated that during the 15-year tenure of the outgoing Commander-in-Chief, systematic efforts had been made to build a modern, standard army. He added that he would continue striving to build the Tatmadaw into a modern force capable of conventional warfare, with combat power and capability.
He reaffirmed that the Tatmadaw has consistently upheld Our Three Main National Causes across generations. He vowed to continue preserving and protecting these Three Main National Causes, which serve the national interest. He pledged to protect the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008) and, as mandated by the Constitution to safeguard the Constitution, prevent the disintegration of the Union, prevent the disintegration of national solidarity, ensure sovereignty, and protect a genuine, disciplined multi-party democracy he would faithfully and diligently carry out these duties. He also stated that alongside the government, he would work towards national development and continue advancing the democratic path desired by the entire people, fully cooperate with the government in building domestic peace, and follow the motto set by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing “Study, Practice, Comply” to build a Tatmadaw with combat power and capability. He would also follow the policy of “Mother Figure People, Father Figure People” to achieve unity between the military and the people, improve civil-military relations, and implement internal and external mobilization effectively.
He emphasized that he would seriously heed the call of the state and successive leaders to “preserve the noble handed-down heritage and continue to enhance the honour of the Tatmadaw and the nation,” maintain the fine traditions of the military, and strive to make the Tatmadaw one that the state trusts and the people rely on.
He expressed that through-out his service, he had diligently fulfilled all orders and duties without fail. He expressed special gratitude to the senior leadership of the Tatmadaw for entrusting him with the role of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
He pledged to use all his physical and intellectual abilities to serve the interests of the state and the military, deserving of the trust placed in him by his superiors.
After that, Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing, who had handed over the duties, and General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo, who assumed them, received salutes from the honour guard. The honour guard then performed a march-past salute as they departed.
Subsequently, Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, and General Zeya Kyaw Htin Sithu Ye Win Oo and his wife Daw Nilar, warmly greeted senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of De-fence Services and their wives, along with invited guests who attended the ceremony.
After that, Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla viewed the commemorative gifts presented respectfully by various departments of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Then, as the motorcade carrying Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla departed from Zeya Thiri Beikman, the honour military band played, and the honour cavalry escort accompanied them with a parade, bidding farewell with a military ceremonial send-off.
The ceremony for the hand-over and assumption of duties of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, held today, was attended by Deputy Commanderin-Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Union Ministers and their wives, and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and their wives.
