Nine statues of General Aung San destroyed, removed by military junta in two years

Photo – Nine statues of General Aung San, considered the father of Myanmar's independence, were destroyed or removed by the military junta during a two-year period from 2024 to 2026, according to Mizzima's compilation. (Social Media) Yaminn Phyu Pwint Aung (July 6) Nine statues of General Aung San, considered the father of Myanmar's independence, were destroyed or removed by the military junta during a two-year period from 2024 to 2026, according to Mizzima's compilation. Of these nine statues, five were destroyed or removed after the military junta formed a civilian-led military administration and the military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, assumed the presidency. In the latest incidents, on July 1, 2026, the statue of General Aung San near Padetha Market in Sumangala Park, in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region, and the statue in Myakantha Park, Thaketa Township, were removed. On July 2, a statue in Kyonpyaw Township, Ayeyarwady Region; on June 27, a statue in Aungmingalar Ward, Ye-U Town, Sagaing Region; and on June 9, a statue on Kan Road, Taungoo Town, Bago Region, were also destroyed or removed. The military junta first destroyed a statue of General Aung San in Thazi Town, Mandalay Region, in October 2024. Subsequently, on July 28, 2025, a statue in Nay Pyi Taw; on August 7, a statue in Bago City; and on November 1, a statue in Kanthasanthi Pyudaw Kwan, Pathein City, Ayeyarwady Region, were destroyed. General Aung San led Myanmar's struggle for independence and is widely recognized as the founding father of modern Myanmar. His statues have been erected in cities across the country as national monuments. While statues of General Aung San were maintained under successive military regimes, under the current military junta, there may be an intention to erase General Aung San's significance and the political influence of his daughter, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a former CDM officer commented to Mizzima. "There is an exercise of academic back-and-forth respect for the statue of General Aung San. This has been done at the military academy since the time of U Than Shwe. Now, under Min Aung Hlaing's regime, we see attempts to erase General Aung San's significance and also diminish his daughter's role," he said. The military junta has not yet provided any official explanation for the destruction or removal of General Aung San's statues. The first statue of General Aung San was erected on February 13, 1955, in General Aung San Park on Natmauk Road in Yangon, and this statue still stands today. Furthermore, it is known that a statue in Kandaw Hwun Park in Loikaw City, Kayah State, and some statues in other regions still remain, and the number of remaining statues is still being confirmed. The Bar Association of Myanmar (BLC) has issued a statement that statues of General Aung San are national monuments and public cultural heritage and must be preserved. It stated that intentional destruction or removal is an act punishable by law. Editor: Naung Naung