Former Miss Myanmar Takes Up Arms Against Military Junta

Former Miss Myanmar Htar Htet Htet, 31, has been living in the jungle for 42 days learning to use weapons, determined to fight against the military junta in Myanmar following the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi; she emphasizes that "everyone must do their part for the revolution to succeed" and expresses her total willingness to "pay with her life" and "not go home until we win" the dictatorship, in a context where over 780 civilians have been killed and thousands of opponents have joined ethnic guerrillas.

Estado de Minas; AFP
2021-05-12
Former Miss Myanmar Takes Up Arms Against Military Junta

Former Miss Myanmar takes up arms against military junta

For 42 days, Htar Htet Htet, a 31-year-old former Miss Myanmar, has been living in the jungles of Myanmar, in territory controlled by ethnic guerrillas, where she learned to use weapons. This radical decision comes after the military coup on February 1, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and has already resulted in the death of over 780 civilians by security forces.

Call for revolution and personal commitment

In her struggle, Htar Htet Htet emphasizes the need for collective participation, stating: "Whether with a weapon, a pen (...) or giving money to the pro-democracy movement, everyone must do their part for the revolution to succeed." She demonstrates her unwavering commitment by asserting: "I will defend myself as much as I can. I am willing to give up everything (...) and pay with my life," and reiterates: "We will not go home until we win."

Transformation from beauty queen to activist

The life of Htar Htet Htet, marked by her participation in contests such as Miss Grand International in 2013 and her profession as a fitness teacher, did not indicate such armed involvement. However, the coup in February transformed her online presence: her Facebook page, once filled with photos of her as a miss, began detailing protests, strikes, and military abuses, highlighting her immersion in the civil disobedience campaign.

Joining the guerrilla and support on social media

With concerns about possible detention in March, Htar Htet Htet joined the guerrilla weeks later, mirroring the decision of thousands of opponents who sought refuge in armed groups on the borders. On social media, she receives strong support and encouragement, with messages like "Respect, dear sister" and "May the force be with you in the forests and mountains."