30 March 2026 | New Day Myanmar

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has stepped down from his position as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and handed over the role to Ye Win Oo on the morning of March 30.

The handover ceremony was held at the military headquarters in Naypyitaw with a formal parade. Both the outgoing commander Min Aung Hlaing and the newly appointed commander Ye Win Oo delivered speeches, according to military-run media.

The leadership transition comes amid ongoing high-level changes within the junta. Reports indicate that Soe Win, who had long held the number two position, has also been removed, as part of a broader restructuring of the leadership.

Ye Win Oo was promoted to Commander-in-Chief (Army) on March 4 and formally assumed the top military post with the rank of Senior General starting from March 29.

In addition, Kyaw Swar Lin, former Joint Chief of Staff (Army, Navy, Air), has been promoted to Vice Senior General and appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

Political analysts suggest that these top-level changes reflect efforts by Min Aung Hlaing to maintain control by placing trusted allies in key positions and reorganizing the leadership structure within the military.