Thurein Tun
Thurein Tun | |
|---|---|
သူရိန်ထွန်း | |
| Commander of the 15th Military Operations Command (MOC) | |
| Leader | Min Aung Hlaing |
| In office 2024 – 2 May 2024 | |
| Deputy | Soe Win (general) |
| Operational Commander at Central Command | |
| In office 2021 – 2 May 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Myanmar |
| Alma mater | Defence Services Academy |
| Occupation | Army general |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Tatmadaw |
| Branch/service |  Myanmar Army |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit | Central Command (Mandalay), 15th Military Operations Command (15th MOC) |
| Commands | 15th Military Operations Command (15th MOC), Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 |
Thurein Tun (Burmese: သူရိန်ထွန်း; pronounced [θʊreɪn tʊn]; born Myanmar) is a Burmese military officer currently holding the rank of brigadier general, and he served as the former commander of the 15th Military Operations Command (MOC).[1][2] He was captured by the Arakan Army (AA) during their offensive in Rakhine State in December 2024.[3] Thurein Tun has been accused of war crimes and other offenses in relation to his role in military operations in the region.[4]
Military career
[edit]Thurein Tun attended the Officer Training School as part of its 22nd intake.[5] Following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, he became an operational commander at Central Command, based in Mandalay.[6] During this period, he reportedly played a key role in the crackdown on anti-coup protests, overseeing the arrest, torture, and prosecution of dissidents.[7] He was later promoted to brigadier general and assigned to lead the 15th Military Operations Command, which was active in Rakhine State.[8]
Role in Rakhine State
[edit]As commander of the 15th MOC, Thurein Tun was stationed in Buthidaung Township, which fell to the Arakan Army in May 2023.[9] He relocated his forces to Maungdaw, establishing a base at Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5. According to the AA, Thurein Tun forcibly conscripted and armed local Rohingya residents, including criminal groups, to counter the AA's advance.[10] He also allegedly incited racial tensions and staged protests against the AA, using coercion and propaganda.[11]
The AA claims that during their final assault on the Border Guard Police Battalion, Thurein Tun shot some of his own soldiers who attempted to surrender, preventing their capitulation. He fled with a small group of soldiers, including his personal assistant, but was captured shortly thereafter.[12]
Accusations of war crimes
[edit]Thurein Tun has been accused of orchestrating a campaign to exacerbate ethnic tensions in Rakhine State. The parallel National Unity Government’s Deputy Minister for Human Rights, U Aung Kyaw Moe, alleged that he trained and armed criminal groups and Rohingya youth, contributing to instability in the region. The AA stated that he will be investigated and punished for alleged war crimes, including the killing of surrendering soldiers.[13]
Human rights organizations have also implicated him in human rights abuses related to his tenure at Central Command and his actions in Rakhine State. These include allegations of extrajudicial killings, forced recruitment, and the use of propaganda to justify military actions.[14]
Capture and detention
[edit]Thurein Tun was captured by the Arakan Army in December 2024 following the fall of Maungdaw to AA forces. The capture marked a significant setback for the Myanmar military in Rakhine State. The AA announced its intention to investigate him for his alleged involvement in war crimes, including actions taken during the final days of the Maungdaw campaign.[15]
Reception and legacy
[edit]Thurein Tun remains a controversial figure in Myanmar’s ongoing political crisis. Supporters of the military junta view his actions as necessary for maintaining control in a volatile region, while critics and human rights organizations accuse him of perpetuating ethnic conflict and violating international law.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Arakan Army Launches Battle For Control of Myanmar's Border With Bangladesh". The Irrawaddy. 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Junta forces kill 2 radiographers, 3 Mro ethnic individuals at NaKhaKha-5". Narinjara News. 12 December 2024.
- ^ "The military's outpost commander, Brigadier General Thurein Tun, was reportedly captured trying to flee the advancing rebels. Many details surrounding the situation remain unverifiable due to significant disruptions to communication and connectivity within the region". Evrim Agaci. 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Brigadier General Thurein Tun, commander of Military Operation Command 15, as well as regime troops and about 80 Rohingya insurgents, were arrested after the battle for Maungdaw, according to Rakhine media reports on Monday". Somoy News. 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Arakan Army seizes Maungdaw". Risingbd.com. 9 December 2024.
- ^ "Notorious Myanmar junta general Captured in Maungdaw". Somoy News. 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Rebel group in Myanmar seizes control of strategic western town". Morning Star | The People's Daily. 10 December 2024.
- ^ "AA offers Kyats 10 million reward for capturing alive NaKhaKha-5 commander Thurein Tun". Narinjara News. 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Arakan Army Takes Control Of Key Myanmar Town". Evrim Agaci. 10 December 2024.
- ^ "AA Takes Complete Control of Myanmar-Bangladesh Border After Seizing Maungdaw". The Irrawaddy. 9 December 2024.
- ^ Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray) (11 December 2024). "More than 450 Junta troops killed, numerous military officers, including Brig GenThurein Tun, captured in Maungdaw NaKhaKha-5 clash". Narinjara News.
- ^ "Myanmar's Arakan Army claims control of border with Bangladesh". The Business Standard. 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Junta General Captured in Rakhine Will Be Punished for War Crimes: AA". The Irrawaddy. 13 December 2024.
- ^ "Brig Gen Thurein Tun and military officials, together with more than 80 soldiers, apprehended after fleeing NaKhaKha-5 in Maungdaw". Narinjara News. 9 December 2024.
- ^ Jonathan Head, BBC Burmese (13 December 2024). "Bloody siege ends Myanmar army control of western border". BBC News.
- ^ "The Arakan Army (AA) on Wednesday announced it had captured hundreds of regime personnel including the notorious Brigadier General Thurein Tun during its seizure on Sunday of the last junta base in Rakhine State's Maungdaw Township, near the border with Bangladesh". The Irrawaddy. 11 December 2024.