This photo taken on November 7, 2023 shows a man watching smoke rising from the direction of a Myanmar military base in Lashio township, northern Shan State. (PHOTO / AFP)

YANGON - Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) has imposed martial law in eight townships of the northeastern Shan state where fighting is fierce in some areas.

The eight townships subjected to martial law are Kunlong, Kutkai, Namhkan, Muse, Lashio, Theinni, Laukkaing and Konkyan, according to a statement issued by the SAC on Sunday night.

The move is for the benefit of security, the rule of law and regional stability, it said.