Mya Tun Oo

Mya Tun Oo (မြထွန်းဦး; ; born 5 May 1961) is a Burmese army general and politician who currently serves as the Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar and Minister of Defence of Myanmar since February 2023, prior to which he held the position of Minister of Defence and is a member of the State Administration Council (SAC) since February 2021. Mya Tun Oo is also a member of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.

Early life and education
Mya Tun Oo was born on 5 May 1961 in Seikgyi Village, Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Burma). He graduated from the Defence Services Academy's 25th intake in 1984.

Military career
Mya Tun Oo's rapid rise through the armed forces was noted by political observers, known for his professional record in both field combat and staff roles. By 2010, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, serving as the rector of the Defence Services Academy, his alma mater. From 2011 to 2012, he served as the commander of the Eastern Central Command, which encompasses central Shan State. In 2012, he was promoted to the rank of major general, serving as the army's chief of staff, chief of military security affairs, and chief of the Bureau of Special Operations 6. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the head of Bureau of Operations - 5, which includes the Naypyidaw and Western Commands. On 26 August 2016, he was promoted to the rank of general, serving as the chief of general staff for the army, navy, and air force. After years of speculation, he was appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services as the Minister for Defence on 1 February 2021. On the following day (2 February 2021), he was appointed a member of the State Administration Council by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Mya Tun Oo since 11 February 2021, pursuant to Executive Order 14014, in response to the Burmese military's coup against the democratically elected civilian government of Burma. The US sanctions include a freezing of any assets in the US and a ban on transactions with US individuals.

The Government of Canada has imposed sanctions on him since 18 February 2021, pursuant to Special Economic Measures Act and Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, in response to the gravity of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Canadian sanctions include freezing potential assets in Canada and a ban on transactions with Canadian individuals.

HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of United Kingdom have also imposed sanctions on him since 18 February 2021, for his responsibility for serious human rights violations in Burma. The UK sanctions include freezing potential assets held in the UK and a ban on traveling or transiting to the UK.

Furthermore, the Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on him since 22 March 2021, pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2021/479 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/480 which amended Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013, for his responsibility for the military coup and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators. The EU sanctions include freezing of assets under member countries of the EU and ban on traveling or transiting to the countries.

Personal life
Mya Tun Oo is married to Thet Thet Aung.