In advance of Martyr’s Day security has been increased at the Martyrs Mausoleum and the Secretariat Office in Yangon where both members of the military and the public come to celebrate Martyr’s Day on 19 July every year.

An eyewitness who had seen the preparations said: “Bunkers have been put up at the Martyr’s Mausoleum. I've also noticed that the military council is getting ready for the ceremony. The seating arrangements for Martyr's Day are being prepared by various groups of people. Inside the Mausoleum, Special Forces are providing security.”

He also said that there were soldiers stationed around the fences of the Secretariat Office and the Martyr’s Mausoleum.

A scout from the Yangon Urban Guerrilla Force confirmed that there had been an increase in security at both sites.

They said: “Jammer devices are being installed in Martyr's Mausoleum. Currently, there are more patrols and [checking of] overnight guest registration lists in Bahan Township. Some of the roads around the Secretariat Office have been closed by the army.”

A resident of Yangon said resistance fighters should be aware that junta soldiers are monitoring Yangon 24 hours a day to prevent any attacks on Martyr’s day.

Revolutionary groups in Yangon have warned people to only go out for important reasons on 19 July, the 76th anniversary of Martyr’s Day. They say that junta soldiers and other junta-affiliated organisations may carry out more inspections.

Martyr’s Day is a national holiday on 19 July that commemorates the assassination at the Secretariat Office of General Aung San, seven other leaders of the pre-independence interim government, and one bodyguard on 19 July 1947.

The first Martyr’s Day was celebrated in Yangon on the day after the assassinations, 20 July 1947. This year is the 76th annual Marty’s Day celebration.

Traditionally, high-ranking government officials visit the Martyr’s Mausoleum on Martyr’s Day.

From 2016 to 2020 the coup and army leader Min Aung Hlaing attended Martyr’s Day celebrations at the Martyr’s Mausoleum, but since the February 2021 coup he has not attended Martyr’s day celebrations. In

2021 no senior military or government officials attended the celebrations. Last year Vice Senior General Soe Win was the most senior junta official to attend the celebrations at the Martyr’s Mausoleum.