ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant for Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has requested an arrest warrant for Myanmar's military chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, over alleged crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingya Muslim minority, stemming from a brutal campaign in 2017 that forced nearly a million Rohingya into Bangladesh. The military regime has dismissed the ICC's jurisdiction, and Hlaing is already facing sanctions from the European Union and the United States due to his role in both the Rohingya persecution and a 2021 coup that ousted the elected government. Human rights groups and Myanmar's opposition National Unity Government have welcomed the ICC's move, emphasizing its importance in addressing ongoing atrocities and breaking the cycle of impunity. The ICC will evaluate the request over the next three months, during which additional warrants for Myanmar's leadership might be sought. Reports indicate that the situation for the junta is precarious, with rising resistance and significant battlefield losses against anti-junta forces. Despite international condemnation, the military regime shows little sign of compliance.